SPORT SAFETY TRAINING - S.B. 278 (S-2): FLOOR ANALYSIS


Senate Bill 278 (Substitute S-2 as reported)

Sponsor: Senator Bill Schuette

Committee: Education


CONTENT


The bill would amend the Revised School Code to provide that the board of a school district or public school academy would have to require each person it employed or assigned as an interscholastic athletic coach to hold valid certification in sport safety training.


People already employed or serving as interscholastic coaches on or before the bill's effective date would be exempt from the training requirement. Also, if a person were coaching an activity for which there was more than one coach, the person would not have to be certified in sport safety training if at least one of the other coaches held valid certification. In addition, training would not be required if a coach had a physical limitation that made it impractical for him or her to complete the course and obtain the certification.


Coaches could obtain certification by completing training in sport safety offered by the American Red Cross or completing an equivalent course approved by the State Board of Education. Certification would be current during the entire interscholastic season for the athletic activity a person was coaching. At least once every two years, coaches would have to provide documentation to their school board or board of directors demonstrating their valid, continuing certification. If a coach did not provide this documentation, the board could not allow him or her to coach an interscholastic athletic activity.


Under the bill, coaches with valid sport safety certification would not be liable in a civil suit for damages resulting from an act or omission in the course of providing physical aid on the job, except for an act or omission constituting gross negligence or willful and wanton misconduct.


MCL 380.1523 - Legislative Analyst: C. Layman


FISCAL IMPACT


The bill would have no fiscal impact on State or local government.


Date Completed: 10-31-01 - Fiscal Analyst: J. Carrasco



floor\sb278 - Analysis available @ http://www.michiganlegislature.org

This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.