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HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 3165 FILED ON: 1/20/2023
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 3990
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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PRESENTED BY:
Marcus S. Vaughn
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To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:
The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:
An Act relative to club sports coaching staff.
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PETITION OF:
NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :DATE ADDED:Marcus S. Vaughn9th Norfolk1/20/2023 1 of 3
HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 3165 FILED ON: 1/20/2023
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 3990
By Representative Vaughn of Wrentham, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 3990) of
Marcus S. Vaughn for legislation to establish a special commission (including members of the
General Court) relative to the creation of a state-wide licensing board to license, prosecute and
hold accountable club sports facilities. Education.
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Third General Court
(2023-2024)
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An Act relative to club sports coaching staff.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority
of the same, as follows:
1 There shall be a special commission established pursuant to section 2A of chapter 4 of
2the General Laws to study and make recommendations on the quality of coaching staff at club
3sports facilities, with a focus on ensuring proper training, vetting and reporting mechanisms for
4coaches who work with children and young adults.
5 The commission shall consist of the following members: 3 members of the senate, 1 of
6whom shall be appointed by the senate president, 1 of whom shall be appointed by the minority
7leader and 1 of whom shall be appointed by the joint committee on education; 3 members of the
8house of representatives, 1 of whom shall be appointed by the speaker of the house, 1 of whom
9shall be appointed by the minority leader and 1 of whom shall be appointed by the joint
10committee on education; the secretary of education or a designee; the commissioner of
11elementary and secondary education or a designee; and 7 persons to be appointed by the
12governor, 1 of whom shall be an expert in sports coaching and education, 1 of whom shall be an 2 of 3
13expert in child development and psychology, 1 of whom shall be an expert in cultural diversity
14and sensitivity, 1 of whom shall be a representative of a club sports facility that employs coaches
15from foreign countries, 1 of whom shall be a representative of a club sports facility that employs
16coaches from Massachusetts, 1 of whom shall be a representative of a parent advocacy group
17concerned with the quality of coaching staff at club sports facilities, 1 of whom shall be a
18representative of the Massachusetts Recreation and Parks Association and 1 of whom shall be a
19representative of a student athlete who has participated in club sports.
20 The commission shall elect a chairperson from among its members. The commission may
21hold public hearings and invite testimony from experts and the public. The commission may
22request from any department, division, board, bureau, commission or agency of the
23commonwealth such assistance and data as will enable it to properly carry out its duties.
24 The commission shall investigate and review: (i) the current hiring process and criteria
25for coaches at club sports facilities; (ii) the best practices and guidelines for training coaches on
26how to deal with children and young adults in various settings and situations; (iii) the potential
27benefits and costs of implementing such practices and guidelines; (iv) the current reporting
28program and procedures for parents and students who have complaints or concerns about
29coaches at club sports facilities; (v) the creation of a state-wide licensing board to license,
30prosecute and hold accountable club sports facilities for infractions of club sports facilities
31licensure requirements and infractions of regulations, practices and guidelines set forth for the
32hiring and oversight of club sports coaches; (vi) the best practices and guidelines for ensuring
33accountability and transparency for coaches at club sports facilities; and (vii) any other matter
34relevant to its charge. 3 of 3
35 The commission shall report its findings and recommendations, together with drafts of
36legislation necessary to carry out such recommendations, to the clerks of the senate and house of
37representatives, who shall forward copies thereof to the senate president, speaker of the house,
38chairs of the joint committee on education and chairs of the senate and house committees on
39ways and means not later than June 30, 2024.