FL H0161

Amends Florida Statute 943.0438 to define "volunteer" as a person authorized by a youth sports or recreation authority to work 20+ hours annually with direct contact to minors in youth athletic teams or recreational programs using publicly owned facilities

Requires youth sports or recreation authorities to conduct annual background screenings of all volunteers by searching state and federal sexual predator and sexual offender registries before July 1, 2013, with responsibility that cannot be delegated to individual teams or programs

Mandates authorities maintain screening documentation for at least 5 years and provide copies to relevant municipalities or counties, which must retain documentation for at least 5 years; disqualified persons must receive written notice within 7 business days

Requires authorities to adopt guidelines educating volunteers and parents about concussion and head injury risks, and adopt policies requiring parental consent forms and medical clearance procedures before athletes may return to play after suspected concussions

Establishes a rebuttable presumption that youth sports or recreation authorities were not negligent in civil actions involving volunteer sexual misconduct if the authority complied with background screening requirements; effective July 1, 2013