Connecticut House Bill HB05335

Connecticut 2020 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/27/20
• Refer: 2/27/20
• Report Pass: 3/10/20

Caption

An Act Requiring The Provision Of Information Concerning Child Sexual Abuse.

Impact

The bill is set to impact several stakeholders, primarily focusing on youth coaches and the operators of youth athletic programs who will be required to adhere to new educational distribution mandates. Specifically, the Department of Children and Families is directed to collaborate with national associations to produce a one-page document detailing best practices for coaches. This document must be distributed annually to coaches and parents of participants starting from January 1, 2021, thereby promoting a proactive approach to child safety in sports settings.

Summary

House Bill 05335 is designed to address the critical issue of child sexual abuse by mandating the provision of information to youth coaches and parents. The bill requires the Department of Children and Families to develop educational materials regarding appropriate interactions with children and the signs of potential abuse. This initiative is intended to create an informed environment in youth athletic activities, ensuring that coaches are equipped with knowledge and are sensitive to the signs of grooming and abuse amongst their athletes.

Contention

While the bill generally received support for its proactive stance on child protection, some concerns were raised regarding the implementation of the proposed educational measures. Opponents may argue about the practicalities of effectively distributing the information to all stakeholders and ensuring that the content is adequately integrated into existing training protocols for youth coaches. The success of this legislation will largely depend on the engagement and compliance from local youth sports organizations and their respective staff.