House Bill 103 Alabama 2026 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Leigh HulseyRepresentative

Republican

Session

2026 Regular Session

Title

Youth Athlete Protection Act; Department of Human Resources (DHR) required to develop model Youth Athlete Protection Policy to prevent child abuse in youth sports; local sports organizations, including local governments, required to implement similar policy and register compliance with DHR, youth sports coaches required to undergo criminal background check and mandatory reporter training, DHR required to adopt rules

Summary

HB103 would create the Youth Athlete Protection Act to prevent youth athlete abuse by requiring a DHR-developed model policy, background checks for coaches, mandatory reporter training, and annual certification for youth sports groups and local governments.

What This Bill Does

DHR would develop a model Youth Athlete Protection Policy by January 1, 2027, drawing on national standards such as SafeSport. Youth sports organizations and local governments would have to adopt a policy reflecting those standards, require criminal history background checks for coaches (ALEA) and annual mandatory reporter training, and certify compliance with DHR each year. DHR would publish a list of certified entities and non-certified groups could not offer youth sports. The act also provides civil immunity to organizations and local governments for hiring volunteers, with limited exceptions, and DHR would adopt implementing rules; the act takes effect October 1, 2026, with full adoption deadlines by January 1, 2027.

Who It Affects

• Youth sports organizations and local governments that provide youth sports: must adopt a Youth Athlete Protection Policy, implement background checks and annual reporter training for coaches, certify compliance annually with DHR, and could be barred from offering youth sports if not compliant.
• Coaches and volunteers working with youth athletes: must undergo criminal history background checks and complete mandatory reporter training annually, and comply with the organization’s Youth Athlete Protection Policy.

Key Provisions

• DHR must adopt a model Youth Athlete Protection Policy by January 1, 2027, reflecting minimum standards (can use SafeSport resources).
• The model policy includes standards for prohibited conduct, a code of conduct for parents/spectators/coaches/athletes, and a mandatory reporting policy.
• Every youth sports organization and local government must adopt a Youth Athlete Protection Policy that mirrors the model policy and require background checks for coaches (ALEA) and annual reporter training.
• Annual certification with DHR is required to verify policy compliance and that coaches have completed background checks and training; DHR will publish a list of certified entities.
• Non-certified entities are prohibited from offering youth sports.
• Immunity from civil liability for hiring or accepting coaches as volunteers is provided to organizations and local governments, with specified exceptions.
• DHR is authorized to adopt rules to implement the act, which becomes effective October 1, 2026, with key deadlines by January 1, 2027.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 11, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Children