53H-6-203. Abusive coaching policies.
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Effective 10/14/2025
53H-6-203. Abusive coaching policies.
(1)As used in this section:
(i)"Abusive coaching practice" means conduct by a coach or member of the coaching staff that creates a harmful environment for a student athlete.
(ii)"Abusive coaching practice" includes conduct by a coach or coaching staff with a student athlete that results in:
(A)harmful or offensive physical contact;
(B)sexual misconduct or harassment;
(C)inappropriate sexual language; or
(D)conduct that a reasonable person would find to be psychologically abusive.
(b)"Athletic department" means the division of a degree-granting institution responsible for overseeing intercollegiate athletic programs.
(2)A degree-granting institution shall:
(a)address abusive coaching practices by requiring a degree-granting institution's athletic department to adopt a policy by November 7, 2025, that:
(i)allows an individual to submit a complaint to the athletic department alleging a violation of the policies described in this Subsection (2)(a) ;
(ii)prohibits coaches and coaching staff from encouraging or advising a student athlete to tolerate an abusive coaching practice;
(iii)prohibits coaches and coaching staff from discouraging a report for an abusive coaching practice;
(iv)establishes reporting requirements for a volunteer, coach, or member of the coaching staff who learns of an abusive coaching practice;
(v)mandates training for athletic department staff on recognizing and preventing an abusive coaching practice;
(vi)establishes a procedure for the athletic department to follow when responding to a complaint of an abusive coaching practice; and
(vii)institutes disciplinary action for individuals found in violation of the policies described in this Subsection (2)(a) ;
(b)submit the policy described in Subsection (2)(a) to the board and Education Interim Committee before the Education Interim Committee's November 2025 meeting; and
(c)establish procedures to:
(i)notify an individual of the receipt of the complaint the individual submits under Subsection (2)(a)(i) , within five business days after the submission of the complaint;
(ii)initiate an investigation of the complaint no later than 30 days after the receipt of a complaint;
(iii)require the degree-granting institution to ensure the investigation is as thorough and expeditious as possible; and
(iv)where appropriate, act immediately to stop a program under an athletic department until the degree-granting institution is able to restore an environment that is not harmful.
(a)A degree-granting institution's board of trustees shall:
(i)review the policies a degree-granting institution creates in accordance with Subsection
(2)(a); and
(ii)approve the policies a degree-granting institution creates if the policies meet the policy requirements listed in Subsection (2)(a) .
(b)Upon approval of the policies by a degree granting institution's board of trustees a degree-granting institution shall send the adopted policies to the board.
Renumbered and Amended by Chapter 8 , 2025 Special Session 1