CS/HB 1117 - Athletics Summary

• Creates requirements for organizations using public athletic facilities for youth sports to comply with school board bullying and harassment policies.

• Requires independent athletic sanctioning authorities to conduct annual background screenings of coaches against sexual predator/offender registries and require athletes to sign pledges against bullying.

• Mandates Florida High School Athletic Association adopt guidelines for interscholastic athletics including student pledge requirements, coach training on bullying prevention, game official training, and sanctions for unsportsmanlike conduct related to bullying (warning before ejection).

• Requires public and nonpublic postsecondary institutions with state-funded students in intercollegiate athletics to adopt written anti-bullying policies, require athlete pledges, and train coaching staff on bullying prevention; violations referred to institutional discipline or law enforcement.

• Makes it unlawful for professional sports franchises in Florida to fail to take reasonable measures to prevent abusive conduct between players; allows Attorney General civil enforcement with fines up to $10,000 per violation; effective July 1, 2014.