An act to prevent the sexual abuse of minors and amateur athletes by requiring the prompt reporting of sexual abuse to law enforcement authorities, and for other purposes
PL 115-126 (S.534), enacted 02/14/2018

132 STAT. 318 
PUBLIC LAW 115–126—FEB. 14, 2018 
Public Law 115–126 
115th Congress 
An Act 
To prevent the sexual abuse of minors and amateur athletes by requiring the 
prompt reporting of sexual abuse to law enforcement authorities, and for other 
purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS. 
(a) SHORT TITLE.—This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Protecting 
Young Victims from Sexual Abuse and Safe Sport Authorization 
Act of 2017’’. 
(b) TABLE OF CONTENTS.—The table of contents of this Act 
is as follows: 
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents. 
TITLE I—PROTECTING YOUNG VICTIMS FROM SEXUAL ABUSE 
Sec. 101. Required reporting of child and sexual abuse. 
Sec. 102. Civil remedy for personal injuries. 
TITLE II—UNITED STATES CENTER FOR SAFE SPORT AUTHORIZATION 
Sec. 201. Expansion of the purposes of the corporation. 
Sec. 202. Designation of the United States Center for Safe Sport. 
Sec. 203. Additional requirements for granting sanctions for amateur athletic com-
petitions. 
Sec. 204. General requirements for youth-serving amateur sports organizations. 
TITLE I—PROTECTING YOUNG VICTIMS 
FROM SEXUAL ABUSE 
SEC. 101. REQUIRED REPORTING OF CHILD AND SEXUAL ABUSE. 
(a) REPORTING REQUIREMENT.—Section 226 of the Victims of 
Child Abuse Act of 1990 (34 U.S.C. 20341) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘A person who’’ and inserting the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(1) COVERED PROFESSIONALS.—A person who’’; and 
(B) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(2) COVERED
INDIVIDUALS.—A covered individual who 
learns of facts that give reason to suspect that a child has 
suffered an incident of child abuse, including sexual abuse, 
shall as soon as possible make a report of the suspected abuse 
to the agency designated by the Attorney General under sub-
section (d).’’; 
(2) in subsection (b), in the matter preceding paragraph 
(1), by striking ‘‘subsection (a)’’ and inserting ‘‘subsection (a)(1)’’; 
36 USC 101 note. 
Protecting Young 
Victims from 
Sexual Abuse 
and Safe Sport 
Authorization 
Act of 2017. 
Feb. 14, 2018 
[S. 534] 
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132 STAT. 319 
PUBLIC LAW 115–126—FEB. 14, 2018 
(3) in subsection (c)— 
(A) in paragraph (7), by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end; 
(B) in paragraph (8), by striking the period at the 
end and inserting a semicolon; and 
(C) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(9) the term ‘covered individual’ means an adult who is 
authorized, by a national governing body, a member of a 
national governing body, or an amateur sports organization 
that participates in interstate or international amateur athletic 
competition, to interact with a minor or amateur athlete at 
an amateur sports organization facility or at any event sanc-
tioned by a national governing body, a member of a national 
governing body, or such an amateur sports organization; 
‘‘(10) the term ‘event’ includes travel, lodging, practice, 
competition, and health or medical treatment; 
‘‘(11) the terms ‘amateur athlete’, ‘amateur athletic competi-
tion’, ‘amateur sports organization’, ‘international amateur ath-
letic competition’, and ‘national governing body’ have the 
meanings given the terms in section 220501(b) of title 36, 
United States Code; and 
‘‘(12) the term ‘as soon as possible’ means within a 24- 
hour period.’’; 
(4) in subsection (d), in the first sentence, by inserting 
‘‘and for all covered individuals’’ after ‘‘reside’’; 
(5) in subsection (f), in the first sentence— 
(A) by striking ‘‘and on all’’ and inserting ‘‘on all’’; 
and 
(B) by inserting ‘‘and for all covered individuals,’’ after 
‘‘lands,’’; 
(6) in subsection (h), by inserting ‘‘and all covered individ-
uals,’’ after ‘‘facilities,’’; and 
(7) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(i) RULE
OF CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in this section shall 
be construed to require a victim of child abuse to self-report the 
abuse.’’. 
(b) PENALTY FOR FAILURE TO REPORT.—Section 2258 of title 
18, United States Code, is amended by inserting ‘‘or a covered 
individual as described in subsection (a)(2) of such section 226 
who,’’ after ‘‘facility,’’. 
SEC. 102. CIVIL REMEDY FOR PERSONAL INJURIES. 
Section 2255 of title 18, United States Code, is amended— 
(1) by striking subsection (a) and inserting the following: 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—Any person who, while a minor, was a victim 
of a violation of section 1589, 1590, 1591, 2241(c), 2242, 2243, 
2251, 2251A, 2252, 2252A, 2260, 2421, 2422, or 2423 of this title 
and who suffers personal injury as a result of such violation, regard-
less of whether the injury occurred while such person was a minor, 
may sue in any appropriate United States District Court and shall 
recover the actual damages such person sustains or liquidated 
damages in the amount of $150,000, and the cost of the action, 
including reasonable attorney’s fees and other litigation costs 
reasonably incurred. The court may also award punitive damages 
and such other preliminary and equitable relief as the court deter-
mines to be appropriate.’’; 
Definitions. 
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132 STAT. 320 
PUBLIC LAW 115–126—FEB. 14, 2018 
(2) in subsection (b), by striking ‘‘filed within’’ and all 
that follows through the end and inserting the following: 
‘‘filed— 
‘‘(1) not later than 10 years after the date on which the 
plaintiff reasonably discovers the later of— 
‘‘(A) the violation that forms the basis for the claim; 
or 
‘‘(B) the injury that forms the basis for the claim; 
or 
‘‘(2) not later than 10 years after the date on which the 
victim reaches 18 years of age.’’; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(c) VENUE; SERVICE OF PROCESS.— 
‘‘(1) VENUE.—Any action brought under subsection (a) may 
be brought in the district court of the United States that 
meets applicable requirements relating to venue under section 
1391 of title 28. 
‘‘(2) SERVICE
OF
PROCESS.—In an action brought under 
subsection (a), process may be served in any district in which 
the defendant— 
‘‘(A) is an inhabitant; or 
‘‘(B) may be found.’’. 
TITLE II—UNITED STATES CENTER FOR 
SAFE SPORT AUTHORIZATION 
SEC. 201. EXPANSION OF THE PURPOSES OF THE CORPORATION. 
Section 220503 of title 36, United States Code, is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (13), by striking ‘‘; and’’ and inserting 
a semicolon; 
(2) in paragraph (14), by striking the period at the end 
and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(15) to promote a safe environment in sports that is free 
from abuse, including emotional, physical, and sexual abuse, 
of any amateur athlete.’’. 
SEC. 202. DESIGNATION OF THE UNITED STATES CENTER FOR SAFE 
SPORT. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 2205 of title 36, United States Code, 
is amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘Subchapter III—United States Center for Safe Sport 
‘‘§ 220541. Designation of United States Center for Safe Sport 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The United States Center for Safe Sport 
shall— 
‘‘(1) serve as the independent national safe sport organiza-
tion and be recognized worldwide as the independent national 
safe sport organization for the United States; 
‘‘(2) exercise jurisdiction over the corporation, each national 
governing body, and each paralympic sports organization with 
regard to safeguarding amateur athletes against abuse, 
including emotional, physical, and sexual abuse, in sports; 
36 USC 220541. 
36 USC 
prec. 220541. 
Deadlines. 
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132 STAT. 321 
PUBLIC LAW 115–126—FEB. 14, 2018 
‘‘(3) maintain an office for education and outreach that 
shall develop training, oversight practices, policies, and proce-
dures to prevent the abuse, including emotional, physical, and 
sexual abuse, of amateur athletes participating in amateur 
athletic activities through national governing bodies and 
paralympic sports organizations; 
‘‘(4) maintain an office for response and resolution that 
shall establish mechanisms that allow for the reporting, inves-
tigation, and resolution, pursuant to subsection (c), of alleged 
sexual abuse in violation of the Center’s policies and procedures; 
and 
‘‘(5) ensure that the mechanisms under paragraph (4) pro-
vide fair notice and an opportunity to be heard and protect 
the privacy and safety of complainants. 
‘‘(b) POLICIES AND PROCEDURES.—The policies and procedures 
developed under subsection (a)(3) shall apply as though they were 
incorporated in and made a part of section 220524 of this title. 
‘‘(c) BINDING ARBITRATION.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Center may, in its discretion, utilize 
a neutral arbitration body and develop policies and procedures 
to resolve allegations of sexual abuse within its jurisdiction 
to determine the opportunity of any amateur athlete, coach, 
trainer, manager, administrator, or official, who is the subject 
of such an allegation, to participate in amateur athletic competi-
tion. 
‘‘(2) PRESERVATION
OF
RIGHTS.—Nothing in this section 
shall be construed as altering, superseding, or otherwise 
affecting the right of an individual within the Center’s jurisdic-
tion to pursue civil remedies through the courts for personal 
injuries arising from abuse in violation of the Center’s policies 
and procedures, nor shall the Center condition the participation 
of any such individual in a proceeding described in paragraph 
(1) upon an agreement not to pursue such civil remedies. 
‘‘(d) LIMITATION ON LIABILITY.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in paragraph (2), 
an applicable entity shall not be liable for damages in any 
civil action for defamation, libel, slander, or damage to reputa-
tion arising out of any action or communication, if the action 
arises from the execution of the responsibilities or functions 
described in this section, section 220542, or section 220543. 
‘‘(2) EXCEPTION.—Paragraph (1) shall not apply in any 
action in which an applicable entity acted with actual malice, 
or provided information or took action not pursuant to this 
section, section 220542, or section 220543. 
‘‘(3) DEFINITION OF APPLICABLE ENTITY.—In this subsection, 
the term ‘applicable entity’ means— 
‘‘(A) the Center; 
‘‘(B) a national governing body; 
‘‘(C) a paralympic sports organization; 
‘‘(D) an amateur sports organization or other person 
sanctioned by a national governing body under section 
220525; 
‘‘(E) an amateur sports organization reporting under 
section 220530; 
‘‘(F) any officer, employee, agent, or member of an 
entity described in subparagraph (A), (B), (C), (D), or (E); 
and 
Applicability. 
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132 STAT. 322 
PUBLIC LAW 115–126—FEB. 14, 2018 
‘‘(G) any individual participating in a proceeding pursu-
ant to this section. 
‘‘§ 220542. Additional duties. 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Center shall— 
‘‘(1) develop training, oversight practices, policies, and 
procedures for implementation by a national governing body 
or paralympic sports organization to prevent the abuse, 
including emotional, physical, and sexual abuse, of any amateur 
athlete; and 
‘‘(2) include in the policies and procedures developed under 
section 220541(a)(3)— 
‘‘(A) a requirement that all adult members of a national 
governing body, a paralympic sports organization, or a 
facility under the jurisdiction of a national governing body 
or paralympic sports organization, and all adults author-
ized by such members to interact with an amateur athlete, 
report immediately any allegation of child abuse of an 
amateur athlete who is a minor to— 
‘‘(i) the Center, whenever such members or adults 
learn of facts leading them to suspect reasonably that 
an amateur athlete who is a minor has suffered an 
incident of child abuse; and 
‘‘(ii) law enforcement consistent with section 226 
of the Victims of Child Abuse Act of 1990 (34 U.S.C. 
20341); 
‘‘(B) a mechanism, approved by a trained expert on 
child abuse, that allows a complainant to report easily 
an incident of child abuse to the Center, a national gov-
erning body, law enforcement authorities, or other appro-
priate authorities; 
‘‘(C) reasonable procedures to limit one-on-one inter-
actions between an amateur athlete who is a minor and 
an adult (who is not the minor’s legal guardian) at a 
facility under the jurisdiction of a national governing body 
or paralympic sports organization without being in an 
observable and interruptible distance from another adult, 
except under emergency circumstances; 
‘‘(D) procedures to prohibit retaliation, by any national 
governing body or paralympic sports organization, against 
any individual who makes a report under subparagraph 
(A) or subparagraph (B); 
‘‘(E) oversight procedures, including regular and 
random audits conducted by subject matter experts unaffili-
ated with, and independent of, a national governing body 
or a paralympic sports organization of each national gov-
erning body and paralympic sports organization to ensure 
that policies and procedures developed under that section 
are followed correctly and that consistent training is offered 
and given to all adult members who are in regular contact 
with amateur athletes who are minors, and subject to 
parental consent, to members who are minors, regarding 
prevention of child abuse; and 
‘‘(F) a mechanism by which a national governing body 
or paralympic sports organization can— 
‘‘(i) share confidentially a report of suspected child 
abuse of an amateur athlete who is a minor by a 
36 USC 220542. 
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132 STAT. 323 
PUBLIC LAW 115–126—FEB. 14, 2018 
member of a national governing body or paralympic 
sports organization, or an adult authorized by a 
national governing body, paralympic sports organiza-
tion, or an amateur sports organization to interact 
with an amateur athlete who is a minor, with the 
Center, which in turn, may share with relevant 
national governing bodies, paralympic sports organiza-
tions, and other entities; and 
‘‘(ii) withhold providing to an adult who is the 
subject of an allegation of child abuse authority to 
interact with an amateur athlete who is a minor until 
the resolution of such allegation. 
‘‘(b) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in this section shall 
be construed to limit the ability of a national governing body or 
paralympic sports organization to impose an interim measure to 
prevent an individual who is the subject of an allegation of sexual 
abuse from interacting with an amateur athlete prior to the Center 
exercising its jurisdiction over a matter. 
‘‘§ 220543. Records, audits, and reports 
‘‘(a) RECORDS.—The Center shall keep correct and complete 
records of account. 
‘‘(b) REPORT.—The Center shall submit an annual report to 
Congress, including— 
‘‘(1) an audit conducted and submitted in accordance with 
section 10101; and 
‘‘(2) a description of the activities of the Center.’’. 
(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—Section 220501(b) of title 36, 
United States Code, is amended— 
(1) by redesignating paragraphs (4) through (8) as para-
graphs (6) through (10), respectively; and 
(2) by inserting after paragraph (3), the following: 
‘‘(4) ‘Center’ means the United States Center for Safe Sport 
designated under section 220541. 
‘‘(5) ‘child abuse’ has the meaning given the term in section 
212 of the Victims of Child Abuse Act of 1990 (34 U.S.C. 
20302).’’. 
(c) TECHNICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of contents of chapter 
2205 of title 36, United States Code, is amended by adding at 
the end the following: 
‘‘SUBCHAPTER III—UNITED STATES CENTER FOR SAFE SPORT 
‘‘220541. Designation of United States Center for Safe Sport. 
‘‘220542. Additional duties. 
‘‘220543. Records, audits, and reports.’’. 
SEC. 203. ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR GRANTING SANCTIONS 
FOR AMATEUR ATHLETIC COMPETITIONS. 
Section 220525(b)(4) is amended— 
(1) in subparagraph (E), by striking ‘‘; and’’ and inserting 
a semicolon; 
(2) in subparagraph (F), by striking the period at the end 
and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(G) the amateur sports organization or person 
requesting sanction from a national governing body will 
implement and abide by the policies and procedures to 
prevent the abuse, including emotional, physical, and child 
36 USC 
prec. 220501. 
Definitions. 
36 USC 220543. 
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132 STAT. 324 
PUBLIC LAW 115–126—FEB. 14, 2018 
abuse, of amateur athletes participating in amateur athletic 
activities applicable to such national governing body.’’. 
SEC. 204. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR YOUTH-SERVING AMATEUR 
SPORTS ORGANIZATIONS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Subchapter II of chapter 2205 of title 36, 
United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘§ 220530. Other amateur sports organizations 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—An applicable amateur sports organization 
shall— 
‘‘(1) comply with the reporting requirements of section 226 
of the Victims of Child Abuse Act of 1990 (34 U.S.C. 20341); 
‘‘(2) establish reasonable procedures to limit one-on-one 
interactions between an amateur athlete who is a minor and 
an adult (who is not the minor’s legal guardian) at a facility 
under the jurisdiction of the applicable amateur sports 
organization without being in an observable and interruptible 
distance from another adult, except under emergency cir-
cumstances; 
‘‘(3) offer and provide consistent training to all adult mem-
bers who are in regular contact with amateur athletes who 
are minors, and subject to parental consent, to members who 
are minors, regarding prevention and reporting of child abuse 
to allow a complainant to report easily an incident of child 
abuse to appropriate persons; and 
‘‘(4) prohibit retaliation, by the applicable amateur sports 
organization, against any individual who makes a report under 
paragraph (1). 
‘‘(b) DEFINITION OF APPLICABLE AMATEUR SPORTS ORGANIZA-
TION.—In this section, the term ‘applicable amateur sports organiza-
tion’ means an amateur sports organization— 
‘‘(1) that is not otherwise subject to the requirements under 
subchapter III; 
‘‘(2) that participates in an interstate or international ama-
teur athletic competition; and 
‘‘(3) whose membership includes any adult who is in regular 
contact with an amateur athlete who is a minor.’’. 
36 USC 220530. 
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132 STAT. 325 
PUBLIC LAW 115–126—FEB. 14, 2018 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—S. 534 (H.R. 1973): 
HOUSE REPORTS: No. 115–136, Pt. 1 (Comm. on the Judiciary) accompanying 
H.R. 1973. 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD: 
Vol. 163 (2017): Nov. 14, considered and passed Senate. 
Vol. 164 (2018): Jan. 29, considered and passed House, amended. 
Jan. 30, Senate concurred in House amendment. 
(b) TECHNICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of contents of chapter 
2205 of title 36, United States Code, is amended by inserting 
after the item relating to section 220529 the following: 
‘‘220530. Other amateur sports organizations.’’. 
Approved February 14, 2018. 
36 USC 
prec. 220501. 
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