Compliance Requirements for Amateur Sport Organizations

Understanding the SafeSport Act and your state, federal and sport federation compliance requirements.

 

Download the full congressional text of the SafeSport Authorization Act of 2017

In February 2018, the Protecting Young Victims from Sexual Abuse and SafeSport Authorization Act of 2017 was signed into law. There are five clear pieces to the legislation, with three notable shifts.  The 2018 law created the following:

  1. The statute of limitations has been extended. A minor who is the victim of a federal sex offence now has up to 10 years to file civil action (up from three years), from the date the individual reaches 18.
  2. Your reporting duties as a youth-sport operator are clear and penalties for violations can be significant. Authorized adults interacting with a minor or amateur athlete at a facility under the jurisdiction of a national governing body, are now required to report suspected child abuse – including child sexual abuse – within 24 hours, or are subject to criminal penalties of up to a year in jail.
  3. Compliance expectations are the same as following the rules for running a business. You must keep up to speed on your requirements as this law evolves- there will be changes, and this legislation allows for it. You’re required to know the rules- there aren’t accommodations or forgiveness for businesses who choose to ignore the legislation. 

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  • 5 Steps Towards SafeSport Act Compliance 100% 100%

Establish a reporting system

Run the appropriate background checks on all adults with access to juveniles

Mandate awareness training for minors- with parental consent

Mandate awareness training for coaches and parents

You're required to publish your company policies & procedures

CLICK TO VIEW COMPLIANCE BEST PRACTICES

As a sports business owner, the expectations are clear.   We made it easy- just click through five simple steps, and you’ll be on the road to SafeSport Act compliance.  Looking for compliance solutions? Check out our list of packages, starting at just $99.

1. Establish a Reporting System

To be in compliance with the new 24-hour reporting rule, incidences of child abuse must be “easily reported.” Consider contracting with The Sports Compliance Company’s  electronic abuse reporting system, or creating an internal system that can be tested and implemented effectively.

2. Run the CORRECT Background Checks

While it seems obvious, not every youth sports organization is doing background checks. Make sure that all adults working with children under your organization’s umbrella have been screened. The Sports Compliance Company has relationships with all national screening providers and is able to extend our discount to our customers. If you’re managing this internally, there are a number of online, local and national businesses that provide these services without a significant expense- just make sure you’re meeting the minimum requirements. All screens need to meet the USOPC minimums and to reduce costs, conduct your screens through the screening provider your sport federation is contracted with.

3. Mandate Awareness Training for Minors, With Parental Consent.

SCC’s training satisfies this requirement, and is included in our Enterprise package. The amateur athlete also needs to be educated on the organization’s policies and procedures when it comes to abuse. Provide an easy way for kids to report abuse, and offer training at the beginning of each new sport season.

4. Mandate Awareness Training for Adults (separate trainings for Coaches and Parents)

SCC’s training satisfies this requirement, and is included in our Enterprise package. The amateur athlete also needs to be educated on the organization’s policies and procedures when it comes to abuse. Provide an easy way for kids to report abuse, and offer training at the beginning of each new sport season.

5. You need to Publish Your Company Policies and Procedures

Distribute all policies and procedures to staff, administrators and volunteer coaches. Post them inside your practice facilities and arenas for all to see.

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5 STEPS

1. Establish a reporting system. To be in compliance with the new 24-hour reporting rule, incidences of child abuse must be “easily reported.” Consider contracting with The Sports Compliance Company’s  electronic abuse reporting system, or creating an internal system that can be tested and implemented effectively.

2. Run the CORRECT Background checks. While it seems obvious, not every youth sports organization is doing background checks. Make sure that all adults working with children under your organization’s umbrella have been screened. There are a number of online, local and national businesses that provide these services without a significant expense- just make sure you’re meeting the minimum requirements. All screens need to meet the USOPC minimums and to reduce costs, conduct your screens through the screening provider your sport federation is contracted with.

3. Mandate awareness training for minors, with parental consent. The amateur athlete also needs to be educated on the organization’s policies and procedures when it comes to abuse. Provide an easy way for kids to report abuse, and offer training at the beginning of each new sport season.

4. Mandate awareness training for coaches and parents. Educate coaches and parents to recognize the red flags of abuse. Learning the warning signs will both improve the identification of abuse, and aid in prevention efforts. Require training for all staff, coaches and parents at least annually.

5. You need to publish your company policies and procedures. Distribute all policies and procedures to staff, administrators and volunteer coaches. Post them inside your practice facilities and arenas for all to see.

REPORT Management

Professional risk managers to streamline your reporting requirements.

Accurate and comprehensive reports

All calls are recorded and case notes are transcribed in real-time, with content communication with the program owner.

Case Support for the lifecycle of the complaint

Case management starts with the intake call- most files require active participation with law enforcement and/ or the sport federation for months to come.  Your dedicated risk officer quarterbacks this for you, keeping you up to speed every step.

Case Management Portal

Need information about a case? Curious if there was an update? Simply log into to your case management portal and see your case statuses in real-time.

Interested in our just how easy effective compliance can be?

Check out our service options below- our customers typically utilize of of these three solutions.  Are you looking to customize? Give us a call and we’d love to put together a package that fits your needs.

Enterprise Partnership

Join our family of customers who partner with The Sports Compliance Company to not only meet their federal Safe Sport Act requirements, but who utilize our services to manage their HR and Compliance needs. Your dedicated risk officer will become part of your team and is available to you around the clock.

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Our Enterprise partnership is exactly that- a partnernership. Our team intergrates with yours, and provides compliance support in real-time. From employee hirings or terminations, to ensuring you’re meeting your state business compliance requrements, to athlete or employee misconduct, we’re here for you.