New Jersey Senate Bill S3311

New Jersey 2024-2025 Regular Session

• Introduced: 6/3/24
• Refer: 6/3/24

Caption

Directs Commissioner of Education to develop sexual assault prevention training program for high school athletic directors and coaches of interscholastic sports programs.

Impact

If enacted, S3311 will require the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association to mandate that all coaches and athletic directors in public and nonpublic high school sports programs complete this training program every four years. Newly appointed coaches and athletic directors will also have to complete the training within their first year of taking up the position. This effort reflects a broader legislative goal to ensure that staff who oversee youth in sports have the knowledge and skills necessary to prevent and respond to incidents of sexual assault effectively.

Summary

Senate Bill S3311, introduced in the New Jersey legislature, aims to enhance the safety and well-being of high school athletes by establishing a sexual assault prevention training program specifically for athletic directors and coaches involved in interscholastic sports. This program will be developed by the Commissioner of Education in consultation with the Director of the Division of Criminal Justice. The training will focus on both the prevention of sexual assault and the identification of signs that may indicate a risk of sexual assault occurring within sports contexts.

Contention

While the bill is primarily focused on enhancing protective measures for student-athletes, potential points of contention might arise regarding the implementation of the training program. Critics may cite concerns about the effectiveness of required training and its adequacy in truly preventing sexual assault. Additionally, logistical issues regarding training program updates and enforcement of compliance among coaches and directors could be contentious topics as the bill moves forward in the legislative process.