I 
118TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION H. R. 10326 
To amend title 36, United States Code, to reform certain proceedings before 
the United States Center for SafeSport. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
DECEMBER 6, 2024 
Ms. ROSS (for herself, Mr. JOYCE of Ohio, Ms. CASTOR of Florida, and Mr. 
BACON) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Com-
mittee on the Judiciary 
A BILL 
To amend title 36, United States Code, to reform certain 
proceedings before the United States Center for SafeSport. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Safer Sports for Ath-
letes Act of 2024’’. 
SEC. 2. OTHER AMATEUR SPORTS ORGANIZATIONS. 
Section 220530(a)(3) of title 36, United States Code, 
is amended— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
22:21 Dec 31, 2024
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00001
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H10326.IH
H10326
kjohnson on DSK7ZCZBW3PROD with $$_JOB
(1) by striking ‘‘consistent training’’ and insert-
ing ‘‘training developed under section 220541(a)’’; 
and 
(2) by inserting after ‘‘regular contact with’’ 
the following: ‘‘or authority over’’. 
SEC. 3. GRANT TO PROTECT YOUNG ATHLETES FROM 
ABUSE. 
Section 220531 of title 36, United States Code, is 
amended— 
(1) in subsection (b), to read as follows: 
‘‘(b) APPLICATIONS.—To be eligible to receive a 
grant under this section, a nonprofit nongovernmental en-
tity shall submit a competitive application to the Attorney 
General at such time, in such manner, and containing 
such information as the Attorney General may require, in-
cluding information that demonstrates that the entity 
has— 
‘‘(1) nationally recognized expertise in pre-
venting and responding to emotional, physical, and 
sexual abuse in the athletic programs of the United 
States Olympic and Paralympic Committee and each 
national governing body; 
‘‘(2) expertise in prevention of abuse, public 
health approaches, and trauma-informed approaches, 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
22:21 Dec 31, 2024
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00002
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H10326.IH
H10326
kjohnson on DSK7ZCZBW3PROD with $$_JOB
and a demonstrated history of supporting athlete- 
survivors of violence and abuse in sport; and 
‘‘(3) the capacity to oversee regular and ran-
dom audits to ensure that the policies and proce-
dures used by the United States Olympic and 
Paralympic Committee and each national governing 
body to prevent and identify the abuse of an ama-
teur athlete are followed correctly.’’; 
(2) in subsection (c)(1), by inserting after ‘‘in 
youth athletic programs’’ the following: ‘‘with the 
input and collaboration of athlete survivors and or-
ganizations with expertise with child athlete sur-
vivors of sexual violence at all levels of sports’’; and 
(3) in subsection (d)(1), to read as follows: 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—There is authorized to be 
appropriated to carry out this section $10,000,000 
or such sums as may be necessary each of the fiscal 
years 2025 through 2030.’’. 
SEC. 4. ADDITIONAL MATTERS RELATING TO RESOLUTION 
OF COMPLAINTS OF ABUSE. 
Section 220541(a)(1) of title 36, United States Code, 
is amended— 
(1) in subparagraph (E), to read as follows: 
‘‘(E) ensure that the mechanisms under 
subparagraph (D)— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
22:21 Dec 31, 2024
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00003
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H10326.IH
H10326
kjohnson on DSK7ZCZBW3PROD with $$_JOB
‘‘(i) provide fair notice and an oppor-
tunity to be heard and protect the privacy 
and safety of complainants; and 
‘‘(ii) are published, including protocols 
for investigations and decision-making;’’; 
(2) in subparagraph (G), by inserting ‘‘or were’’ 
before ‘‘barred by the Center’’; and 
(3) in subparagraph (H), to read as follows: 
‘‘(H) ensure that any action taken by the 
Center against an individual under the jurisdic-
tion of the Center, including an investigation, 
the imposition of sanctions, and any other dis-
ciplinary action, is carried out in a manner that 
provides the following procedural process to the 
individual— 
‘‘(i) the provision of written notice of 
the allegations against the individual; 
‘‘(ii) a right to be represented by 
counsel or other advisor; 
‘‘(iii) an opportunity to be heard dur-
ing the investigation; 
‘‘(iv) in a case in which a violation is 
found, a reasoned written decision by the 
Center; and 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
22:21 Dec 31, 2024
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00004
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H10326.IH
H10326
kjohnson on DSK7ZCZBW3PROD with $$_JOB
‘‘(v) the ability to challenge, in a 
hearing or through an appeals process, in-
terim measures or sanctions imposed by 
the Center that result in suspension or 
bars on participation eligibility.’’. 
SEC. 5. LIMITATION ON REQUIREMENTS ON VICTIMS. 
Section 220541(a)(2) of title 36, United States Code, 
is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(2) RULES
OF
CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in 
this subsection shall be construed— 
‘‘(A) to preclude the Center from imposing 
interim measures or sanctions on an individual 
before an opportunity for a hearing; 
‘‘(B) to give rise to a claim under State 
law or to create a private right of action; 
‘‘(C) to render the Center a state actor; or 
‘‘(D) to preclude the Center from pursuing 
investigations and sanctions without testimony 
from victims of sexual misconduct at its discre-
tion.’’. 
SEC. 6. RESPONSE AND RESOLUTION PROCESS. 
Section 220541(c) of title 36, United States Code, 
is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(c) RESPONSE AND RESOLUTION.— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
22:21 Dec 31, 2024
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00005
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H10326.IH
H10326
kjohnson on DSK7ZCZBW3PROD with $$_JOB
‘‘(1) IN
GENERAL.—For each complaint the 
Center receives through its office for response and 
resolution and accepts jurisdiction over, the Center 
shall conduct an investigation and make a decision 
regarding whether a violation of the SafeSport Code 
occurred and whether to impose sanctions. In car-
rying out the response and resolution process, the 
Center shall do the following: 
‘‘(A) Assign a case manager to each case 
to manage and provide regular communication 
with claimants and respondents. 
‘‘(B) Notify each complainant that they 
are permitted to have a victim advocate of their 
choosing accompany them to any proceedings 
scheduled as part of the investigation into the 
claim. Such victim advocate shall be confiden-
tial and may not share any information with 
the Center without the complainant’s voluntary, 
reasonably time-limited permission based on the 
estimated investigation timeframe, and written 
approval; if a complainant does not have a vic-
tim advocate, the Center shall provide such vic-
tim advocate at no cost to the complainant or 
refer the complainant to an organization that 
can provide a cost-free victim advocate at the 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
22:21 Dec 31, 2024
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00006
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H10326.IH
H10326
kjohnson on DSK7ZCZBW3PROD with $$_JOB
request of the complainant. Such victim advo-
cate shall be a person trained to confidentially 
support victims of abuse and have expertise in 
supporting athlete-survivors. 
‘‘(C) Assign an investigator to the case 
within 7 business days of accepting jurisdiction 
and receiving membership records from the rel-
evant national governing body. National gov-
erning bodies shall provide the Center with 
membership records within 5 business days of a 
request by the Center pursuant to an investiga-
tion. The Center may extend the period of time 
that a national governing body has to provide 
membership records in circumstances when the 
Center believes that the national governing 
body is working in good faith to identify the re-
spondent named in the complaint. The Center 
shall provide the national governing body with 
all information included in the complaint that 
will assist the national governing body in identi-
fying the respondent. 
‘‘(D) Conclude its investigation no later 
than the date that is 180 days after a com-
plaint is made to the Center, except that, if the 
Center determines necessary, the investigation 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
22:21 Dec 31, 2024
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00007
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H10326.IH
H10326
kjohnson on DSK7ZCZBW3PROD with $$_JOB
may be extended for a period of 30 days as 
many times as may be necessary. The Center 
shall provide notice to each complainant and 
each respondent to the investigation and the 
relevant national governing body or corporation 
prior to each extension of the investigation. 
Such notice shall provide a basis for why the 
extension is necessary and include sufficient in-
formation for the national governing body or 
corporation to implement a safety plan to pro-
tect participants from further abuse. 
‘‘(E) Adopt proof by a preponderance of 
the evidence as the standard in determining 
whether a violation of the SafeSport Code oc-
curred. 
‘‘(F) Establish a grievance reporting sys-
tem for all persons impacted by the Center to 
report bad faith use of the Center’s processes, 
issues during intake, investigation and hearings, 
conflicts of interest, and other concerns about 
the Center. The Center will report on the griev-
ances filed and resolved annually. 
‘‘(2) 
OTHER
REQUIREMENTS.—The 
Center 
shall adopt a response and resolution process that is 
consistent with the following: 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
22:21 Dec 31, 2024
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00008
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H10326.IH
H10326
kjohnson on DSK7ZCZBW3PROD with $$_JOB
‘‘(A) If upon completion of the Center’s in-
vestigation the Center is able to conclude that 
a violation of the SafeSport Code has been com-
mitted by the respondent, but that the appro-
priate sanction does not include any period of 
suspension or ineligibility, then the Center may 
issue such sanctions in its discretion. These 
findings and sanctions are not subject to ap-
peal. 
‘‘(B) If upon completion of the its inves-
tigation, the Center finds that a violation of the 
SafeSport Code has been committed by the re-
spondent and that the appropriate sanction in-
cludes any period of suspension or ineligi-
bility— 
‘‘(i) it shall inform the claimant and 
the respondent the sanction(s) it will im-
pose upon to the respondent; and 
‘‘(ii) if the respondent demands an 
appeal of the sanctions, the Center shall 
proceed to a hearing with the respondent 
under paragraph (3), the outcome of which 
shall be considered final and not subject to 
review in State or Federal court. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
22:21 Dec 31, 2024
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00009
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H10326.IH
H10326
kjohnson on DSK7ZCZBW3PROD with $$_JOB
‘‘(C) If the Center’s investigation does not 
in the Center’s discretion result in sufficient 
evidence to determine by a preponderance of 
evidence that the respondent violated the rules 
created by the Center, the Center may dismiss 
and close the case, but such case shall remain 
subject to being re-opened in the event addi-
tional evidence is presented to the Center. 
‘‘(3) HEARING PROCEDURES.—The Center shall 
establish a panel of 3 experts to resolve allegations 
of abuse within its jurisdiction to determine the op-
portunity of any amateur athlete, coach, trainer, 
manager, administrator, or official, who is the sub-
ject of such an allegation, to participate in amateur 
athletic competition. Each person appointed to the 
panel under this subsection shall have expertise and 
training in trauma-informed care and/or an under-
standing of sport dynamics. Individuals who serve on 
the expert panel will not have a conflict of interest 
or bias for or against complainants or respondents 
generally or an individual complainant or respondent 
or associated sports organization. Individuals who 
serve on the expert panel will not be privy to inter-
nal Center information about the cases outside of 
evidence presented in the hearing process. Excluding 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
22:21 Dec 31, 2024
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00010
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H10326.IH
H10326
kjohnson on DSK7ZCZBW3PROD with $$_JOB
temporary measures, the Center shall provide fair 
notice and opportunity for a hearing to any amateur 
athlete, coach, trainer, manager, administrator or of-
ficial before declaring the individual ineligible to par-
ticipate. Hearings will not provide for discovery, and 
no information or materials that were not provided 
to the Center during its investigation can be consid-
ered in the hearing. In the event a complainant or 
witness are unable to testify in a hearing, the proce-
dures must permit hearsay testimony, including— 
‘‘(A) testimony by affidavit from a com-
plainant or witness, and 
‘‘(B) testimony by a Center investigator in 
lieu of a complainant or witness where the in-
vestigator may testify as to the information, 
statements or other evidence the investigator 
received from the complainant or witness. 
‘‘(4) TEMPORARY MEASURES.—In order to pro-
mote a safe environment in sports that is free from 
abuse of any amateur athlete, including emotional, 
physical, and sexual abuse, the Center, the corpora-
tion, and national governing bodies have the right to 
impose interim measures or sanctions on an indi-
vidual before an opportunity for a hearing consistent 
with the Center’s policies and procedures, as long as 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
22:21 Dec 31, 2024
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00011
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H10326.IH
H10326
kjohnson on DSK7ZCZBW3PROD with $$_JOB
an amateur athlete, coach, trainer, manager, admin-
istrator or official that is temporarily suspended is 
given the right to file for a hearing to participate in 
the Olympic Games, the Paralympic Games, the 
Pan-American 
Games, 
the 
Parapan 
American 
Games, world championship competition, or other 
protected competition as defined in the bylaws of the 
corporation. Any person temporarily suspended by 
the Center may file for a hearing regarding the right 
to participate in amateur athletic competition prior 
to the Center issuing a decision on the merits. The 
corporation and national governing bodies will in-
form the Center of any temporary measures or em-
ployment decisions relating to any ongoing investiga-
tion by the Center within 72 hours of imposition.’’. 
SEC. 7. TRAINING MATERIALS. 
Section 220451(e) of title 36, United States Code, 
is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(e) TRAINING MATERIALS.—The office for edu-
cation and outreach referred to in subsection (a)(1)(C) 
shall— 
‘‘(1) develop training materials for specific au-
diences, including coaches, trainers, doctors, young 
children, adolescents, adults, and individuals with 
disabilities; 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
22:21 Dec 31, 2024
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00012
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H10326.IH
H10326
kjohnson on DSK7ZCZBW3PROD with $$_JOB
‘‘(2) develop training materials suitable for all 
levels of participation, including organizations with 
adult athletes and organizations with minor athletes; 
‘‘(3) ensure that all training for adults who 
interact with youth athletes is interactive and pro-
motes trauma-informed approaches that take into 
account age, gender, anddevelopmentally, culturally, 
and linguistically appropriate care; 
‘‘(4) consult with experts in sexual abuse pre-
vention and public health experts, as well as athlete 
survivors, when developing such training materials; 
‘‘(5) adopt a trauma-informed approach in de-
veloping such training materials; 
‘‘(6) incorporate lived experiences of survivors 
of abuse in developing such training materials; 
‘‘(7) include in such training materials technical 
assistance on trauma-informed, athlete-centered, and 
athlete survivor-centered policies; 
‘‘(8) not less frequently than every 3 years, up-
date such training materials; and 
‘‘(9) ensure that— 
‘‘(A) each member of the staff of the Cen-
ter receives at least 4 hours of training annu-
ally, and staff of the Center working in re-
sponse and resolution receives at least 20 hours 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
22:21 Dec 31, 2024
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00013
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H10326.IH
H10326
kjohnson on DSK7ZCZBW3PROD with $$_JOB
of training, provided via live video or in-person, 
on trauma-informed care and trauma-informed 
approach, including— 
‘‘(i) 
information 
about 
the 
neurobiology of trauma and the impacts of 
trauma; 
‘‘(ii) how to work with persons im-
pacted by trauma; 
‘‘(iii) investigation techniques and 
considerations; 
‘‘(iv) consideration of age, gender, de-
velopmentally, culturally, and linguistically 
appropriate care; and 
‘‘(v) information about support for 
persons impacted by trauma; and 
‘‘(B) each member of the staff completes 
such training within 30 days after being 
hired.’’. 
SEC. 8. RELATING TO INDEPENDENCE. 
Section 220541(f)(4) of title 36, United States Code, 
is amended— 
(1) in subparagraph (C)(ii), to read as follows: 
‘‘(ii) 
RULE
OF
CONSTRUCTION.— 
Nothing in this subparagraph shall be con-
strued to prohibit the Center from pro-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
22:21 Dec 31, 2024
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00014
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H10326.IH
H10326
kjohnson on DSK7ZCZBW3PROD with $$_JOB
viding work product described in clause (i) 
to— 
‘‘(I) a law enforcement agency 
for the purpose of assisting in crimi-
nal investigation; 
‘‘(II) 
any 
other 
investigative 
agency, including a child protection 
agency or the United States Anti- 
Doping Agency; 
‘‘(III) 
an 
international 
safe-
guarding agency or international fed-
eration; 
‘‘(IV) the United States Olympic 
& Paralympic Committee; or 
‘‘(V) a national governing body. 
Nothing in this section shall be construed 
to prohibit a national governing body from 
providing information relating to an inves-
tigation to the Equal Employment Oppor-
tunity Commission or other relevant bodies 
in instances in which an individual was ter-
minated for a violation in order to defend 
a claim of wrongful termination. Such in-
formation shall be subject to the same pro-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
22:21 Dec 31, 2024
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00015
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H10326.IH
H10326
kjohnson on DSK7ZCZBW3PROD with $$_JOB
tections as with the Center, including pro-
tection from discovery.’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(D) TRANSPARENCY.—Should the Center 
exercise jurisdiction over a case, the Center 
shall provide applicable national governing bod-
ies or the corporation with a detailed descrip-
tion of the allegations and detailed information 
about the respondent to allow the applicable na-
tional governing body or corporation the oppor-
tunity to impose appropriate interim safety 
measures to protect participants during the in-
vestigation. The information provided to the 
corporation or relevant national governing bod-
ies shall include details about when and where 
the alleged misconduct occurred and details 
about the allegations beyond the category of 
misconduct. At minimum, the Center shall pro-
vide information received in the complaint made 
to the Center, with identifying information 
about the claimant removed. The Center shall 
not share information about the identity of the 
claimant unless the claimant has given the cen-
ter permission to do so. This provision shall not 
apply if sharing the information and materials 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
22:21 Dec 31, 2024
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00016
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H10326.IH
H10326
kjohnson on DSK7ZCZBW3PROD with $$_JOB
named above would create a conflict of interest 
or put participants at risk of abuse, harass-
ment, or retaliation.’’. 
SEC. 9. FUNDING MATTERS. 
Section 220541(g)(4) of title 36, United States Code, 
is amended— 
(1) in subparagraph (A), by inserting ‘‘in ac-
cordance with section 220503(15)’’ before the period 
at the end; 
(2) by redesignating subparagraphs (B)(ii) and 
B(iii) as subparagraphs B(iii) and B(iv); 
(3) in subparagraph (B), by inserting after 
clause (i) the following: 
‘‘(ii) ABUSE PREVENTION.—Not less 
than 20 percent of he total amount of 
funding the Center receives in a fiscal year 
shall be used for training, oversight prac-
tices, policies, and procedures to prevent 
the abuse, including emotional, physical, 
and sexual abuse, of amateur athletes par-
ticipating in amateur athletic activities de-
scribed in subsection (a)(1)(C).’’; and 
(4) in subparagraph (B)(iii)(I) (as redesig-
nated), by striking ‘‘25 percent’’ and inserting ‘‘10 
percent’’. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
22:21 Dec 31, 2024
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00017
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H10326.IH
H10326
kjohnson on DSK7ZCZBW3PROD with $$_JOB
SEC. 10. COMPLIANCE AUDITS. 
Section 220541(h)(3) of title 36, United States Code, 
is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(3) ANNUAL REPORT.— 
‘‘(A) IN
GENERAL.—Not less frequently 
than annually, the Center shall submit to Con-
gress a report on the findings of the audit 
under paragraph (1) for the preceding year and 
the status of any corrective measures imposed 
as a result of the audit. The report shall include 
updates on the function of and feedback from 
the Athlete Survivor Advisory Group, how sur-
vivors and persons with lived experience are en-
gaged in development of materials and preven-
tion outreach, how the Center is responding to 
complaints or investigation issues, how the Cen-
ter is engaging with outside experts in preven-
tion and response to sexual violence, and it 
shall detail efforts to improve transparency of 
process and communication. 
‘‘(B) PUBLIC AVAILABILITY.— 
‘‘(i) IN GENERAL.—Each report under 
subparagraph (A) shall be made available 
to the public. 
‘‘(ii) PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE IN-
FORMATION.—A report made available to 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
22:21 Dec 31, 2024
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00018
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H10326.IH
H10326
kjohnson on DSK7ZCZBW3PROD with $$_JOB
the public shall not include the personally 
identifiable information of any individual.’’. 
SEC. 11. ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS. 
Section 220451 of title 36, United States Code, is 
amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(k) OVERSIGHT.—Not less frequently than once per 
Congress, the CEO of the Center shall appear before the 
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of 
the Senate and the Committee on Energy and Commerce 
and the Committee on the Judiciary of the House of Rep-
resentatives on the Center’s activities and provide reports 
as requested by those Committees in advance of such ap-
pearances. 
‘‘(l) GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE RE-
PORT.—Every three years the Comptroller General of the 
United States shall do a performance and accountability 
report of the Center and share those findings with Con-
gress, the Center and the public. The report shall review 
how the Center is meeting its mission, including talking 
to athlete survivors, advocates, and national governing 
bodies in order to institutionalize formal feedback from 
survivor groups and NGBs. 
‘‘(m) BOARD OF DIRECTORS.—Not less than twenty 
percent of the membership of the board of directors of the 
Center shall be recommended by amateur athlete survivors 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
22:21 Dec 31, 2024
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00019
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H10326.IH
H10326
kjohnson on DSK7ZCZBW3PROD with $$_JOB
who are actively engaged in amateur athletic competition 
or who have represented the United States in international 
athletic competition. Directors recommended by the ath-
letes must still meet the independence requirements of the 
Center.’’. 
Æ 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
22:21 Dec 31, 2024
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00020
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6301
E:\BILLS\H10326.IH
H10326
kjohnson on DSK7ZCZBW3PROD with $$_JOB