SB140 Alabama 2025 Session

Updated Feb 23, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: J.T. WaggonerSenator
Republican
Session: 2025 Regular Session
Title: Coach Safely Act; procedures and penalties for noncompliant youth athletic associations, provided
Summary: SB140 strengthens the Coach Safely Act by adding enforcement steps, fines, and a state-property ban for repeat noncompliance, and updates the definition of youth athletes.
What This Bill Does
The Alabama Department of Public Health must notify youth athletic associations when they are not in compliance with the Coach Safely Act. If noncompliance continues after two years, the department can levy a fine after the third consecutive year, with specific amounts based on the number of coaches. After four consecutive years of noncompliance, the association may be barred from administering youth activities on state property for one year; notices include compliance instructions and consequences, and the department will adopt implementing rules. The act also updates the definition of youth athlete and sets an October 1, 2025 effective date, with certain procedural exemptions for counties and municipalities.

Who It Affects
Youth athletic associations and their participants (youth athletes) in Alabama: subject to notices of noncompliance, potential fines, and possible loss of access to state property after four consecutive years of noncompliance.
The Alabama Department of Public Health and state property owners: gain authority to enforce the Act, issue notices, impose fines, and restrict use of state property when noncompliance persists.

Key Provisions
Defines/updates terms: includes youth athlete as individuals age 14 or under who have not yet started seventh grade; defines association, coach, athletics personnel, department, and high risk youth athletic activities.
Enforcement procedures: the department must privately notify the association after the first year of noncompliance, notify again after the second year and post on its website, and levy a fine after the third consecutive year of noncompliance.
Fine structure: if noncompliance lasts three consecutive years, associations with fewer than 100 coaches pay $200; associations with 100 or more coaches pay $10 per coach.
State-property ban: after the fourth consecutive year of noncompliance, the association may not conduct youth activities on state property for one year.
Notices and rules: notices must include compliance instructions and consequences, and the department will adopt rules to implement the section.
Exemptions: the notice procedures do not apply to counties, municipalities, or their boards/agencies/instrumentalities.
Effective date: the act becomes effective October 1, 2025.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.
Subjects: Children