United States Center for Safe Sport Authorization Act of 2017

Bill: 115-s-1426
Sponsor: Sen. Thune, John [R-SD]
Introduced: 2017-06-22 in the Senate
Policy area: Sports and Recreation
Subjects: Assault and harassment offenses
Athletes
Crimes against children
Disability and paralysis
Domestic violence and child abuse
Olympic games
Sex offenses

Summary:
action_date: 2017-06-22
text: 

United States Center for Safe Sport Authorization Act of 2017

 
This bill amends the Ted Stevens Olympic and Amateur Sports Act to include among the purposes of the U.S. Olympic Committee to promote a safe environment in sports that is free from abuse, including emotional, physical, and sexual abuse, of any amateur athlete.
 
The bill designates the United States Center for Safe Sport, which shall:
 
 
serve as the independent national safe sport organization for the United States; 
 
exercise jurisdiction over the committee, each national governing body, and each paralympic sports organization with regard to safeguarding amateur athletes against abuse in sports; 
 
maintain an office for education and outreach that shall develop training, oversight practices, policies, and procedures to prevent the abuse of amateur athletes; 
 
ensure that such policies and procedures require that all such bodies and organizations follow the center's policies and procedures; 
 
maintain an office for response and resolution that shall establish mechanisms that allow for the reporting, investigation, and adjudication of alleged sexual abuse in violation of the center's policies and procedures; and 
 
ensure that such mechanisms provide fair notice and an opportunity to be heard and protect the privacy and safety of complainants. 

 
The center may utilize a neutral arbitration body and develop policies and procedures to resolve allegations of sexual abuse within its jurisdiction. 
 
The center shall: (1) develop training, oversight practices, policies, and procedures for implementation by such body or organization to prevent abuse of any amateur athlete; (2) keep correct and complete records of account; and (3) report annually to Congress.
 
The center, and each national governing body and paralympic sports organization, shall not be liable for damages in any civil action for defamation, libel, slander, or damage to reputation arising from the execution of its responsibilities or functions.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2018-12-19
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 734.
action_date: 2018-12-19
text: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Thune with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 115-443.
action_date: 2018-12-19
text: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Thune with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 115-443.
action_date: 2017-06-29
text: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
action_date: 2017-06-22
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2017-06-22
text: Introduced in Senate