Title: Athletic Coaches

Summary: Requiring an independent sanctioning authority to dismiss an athletic coach ejected from a game for the remainder of that sport season under certain circumstances; authorizing such athletic coach to resume working under certain circumstances, etc.

Full Text:
An act relating to athletic coaches; amending s. 943.0438, F.S.; requiring an independent sanctioning authority to dismiss an athletic coach ejected from a game for the remainder of that sport season under certain circumstances; authorizing such athletic coach to resume working under certain circumstances; requiring an independent sanctioning authority to establish a procedure for an athletic coach to appeal certain decisions; providing an effective date. Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: Section 1. Paragraph (h) is added to subsection (2) of section 943.0438, Florida Statutes, to read: 943.0438 Athletic coaches for independent sanctioning authorities.  (2) An independent sanctioning authority shall: (h) Immediately dismiss an athletic coach who is ejected from a game in a league of children years of age or younger for the remainder of the sport season. 1. Except as provided in subparagraph 2., the independent sanctioning authority may allow an athletic coach dismissed under this paragraph to resume working as an athletic coach for the league the following sport season or any time thereafter if the authority determines that the person remains qualified to work as an athletic coach. 2. The independent sanctioning authority must establish a procedure of due process to ensure that an athletic coach ejected from a game in a league of children years of age or younger has the opportunity to appeal the ejection to the independent sanctioning authority. The authority shall expedite the appeal process so that disposition of the appeal can be made before the end of the applicable sport season, if possible. If the athletic coach is successful in his or her appeal, the athletic coach shall be reinstated and allowed to continue coaching for the remainder of the sport season and thereafter. Section 2. This act shall take effect July 1, 2015.