AL HB456

Local governments operating youth sports programs must adopt a Youth Athlete Protection Policy by January 1, 2027, establishing prohibited conduct standards, codes of conduct for coaches/parents/athletes, and mandatory reporting procedures for suspected child abuse

All coaches employed by or volunteering for local governments must undergo criminal history background checks prior to hiring, renewed annually within 30 days of expiration

Background checks may be conducted through Alabama State Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) with fingerprints or through a Professional Background Screening Association-accredited consumer reporting agency

Coaches are barred from serving if convicted of, pled nolo contendere to, or received deferred prosecution for child abuse felonies, sex offenses, felony assault, or comparable offenses in other states

Local governments receive civil liability immunity for hiring decisions when they exercise reasonable care in reviewing background checks and State Department of Education certification portal searches; effective date is October 1, 2026