SENATE EDUCATION COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

SENATE, No. 1114

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  MAY 6, 2024

      The Senate Education Committee favorably reports Senate Bill No. 1114.

      This bill establishes the Youth Sports Task Force.  The task force is to examine, evaluate, and make recommendations regarding youth sports.

      The task force is to consist of 13 members as follows:

· six members who have a background in, or special knowledge of, the legal, policy, educational, social, or psychological aspects of bullying.  Two members are to be appointed by the Senate President, two members are to be appointed by the Speaker of the General Assembly, and two members are to be appointed by the Governor;

· four members of the public that are appointed by the Governor, including: the parent or guardian of a student-athlete who participates in an interscholastic sports program; the parent or guardian of an athlete who participates in youth sports events; the parent or guardian of an athlete who participates in youth sports activities sponsored by a for-profit entity; and a youth who was a victim of harassment, intimidation, or bullying while participating in youth sports; and

· three coaches appointed by the Governor, including: a coach of an interscholastic sports program; a coach of youth sports events; and a coach of youth sports activities sponsored by a for-profit entity.

      The task force is to study and consider issues of youth sports including, but not limited to:

· protection for parents, guardians, and athletes from unscrupulous business practices conducted by for-profit entities sponsoring youth sports activities;

· financial oversight to strengthen the business practices of youth sports team organizations and for-profit entities  sponsoring youth sports activities;

· training for coaches to recognize the signs and symptoms of harassment, intimidation, and bullying;

· ways to acknowledge and promote youth sports as an extension of the classroom;

· developing training workshops for parents and guardians to recognize the signs and symptoms of harassment, intimidation, bullying, and abusive coaching, and on proper spectator conduct; and

· protection for sports officials from abusive behavior while engaged in the performance of their duties.

      The bill directs the task force to issue a final report of its findings and recommendations to the Governor and the Legislature no later than one year after its organizational meeting.  The task force is to expire 30 days after the submission of its final report.

      This bill was prefiled for introduction in the 2024-2025 session pending technical review.  As reported, the bill includes the changes required by technical review, which has been performed.