FL H0059

Define "athletic coach" as a person authorized by an independent sanctioning authority to work 20+ hours per calendar year with direct contact to minors on youth athletic teams, and "independent sanctioning authority" as a private entity organizing youth athletic teams not affiliated with private schools.

Require independent sanctioning authorities to conduct annual background screenings of current and prospective athletic coaches by searching state and federal sexual predator/offender registries, effective July 1, 2010.

Disqualify any coach appearing on sexual predator or sexual offender registries and provide written notice of disqualification within 7 business days.

Maintain documentation of screening results and disqualification notices, and establish a rebuttable presumption that the authority did not act negligently in civil actions for intentional torts involving sexual misconduct if screening requirements were followed.

Authorize background screenings conducted by commercial consumer reporting agencies in compliance with the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act as meeting the bill's requirements.