NC H602

Requires athletics personnel and coaches of youth sports organizations using state or local government property to complete an approved youth sports injury education course within 30 days of starting and annually thereafter, with training provided free of charge by associations

NC Department of Health and Human Services must approve courses meeting standards from the National Athletic Training Association, National Council of Youth Sports, or other nationally recognized organizations by October 1, 2025

Required course topics include safety techniques, emergency preparedness, CPR and first aid, concussions, heat-related injuries, physical conditioning, and heart defects leading to sudden cardiac death

Licensed athletic trainers, physicians, nurses, EMTs, and other healthcare practitioners with advanced trauma life support training are exempt from the course requirement

Coaches who complete the required training and reasonably follow the safety methods taught have a defense against liability claims arising from youth athlete injuries; effective August 1, 2026