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Bill > S2282


NJ S2282

NJ S2282
Establishes task force to examine issues and make recommendations concerning youth sports, including abusive coaching, confrontational parents, and bullying of players.


summary

Introduced
01/13/2026
In Committee
01/13/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead

Introduced Session

2026-2027 Regular Session

Bill Summary

This bill establishes the Youth Sports Task Force. The task force is to examine, evaluate, and make recommendations regarding youth sports. The task force is to consist of 13 members as follows: · six members who have a background in, or special knowledge of, the legal, policy, educational, social, or psychological aspects of bullying. Two members are to be appointed by the Senate President, two members are to be appointed by the Speaker of the General Assembly, and two members are to be appointed by the Governor;· four members of the public that are appointed by the Governor, including: the parent or guardian of a student-athlete who participates in an interscholastic sports program; the parent or guardian of an athlete who participates in youth sports events; the parent or guardian of an athlete who participates in youth sports activities sponsored by a for-profit entity; and a youth who was a victim of harassment, intimidation, or bullying while participating in youth sports; and· three coaches appointed by the Governor, including: a coach of an interscholastic sports program; a coach of youth sports events; and a coach of youth sports activities sponsored by a for-profit entity. The task force is to study and consider issues of youth sports including, but not limited to:· protection for parents, guardians, and athletes from unscrupulous business practices conducted by for-profit entities sponsoring youth sports activities; · financial oversight to strengthen the business practices of youth sports team organizations and for-profit entities sponsoring youth sports activities;· training for coaches to recognize the signs and symptoms of harassment, intimidation, and bullying;· ways to acknowledge and promote youth sports as an extension of the classroom;· developing training workshops for parents and guardians to recognize the signs and symptoms of harassment, intimidation, bullying, and abusive coaching, and on proper spectator conduct; and · protection for sports officials from abusive behavior while engaged in the performance of their duties. The bill directs the task force to issue a final report of its findings and recommendations to the Governor and the Legislature no later than one year after its organizational meeting. The task force is to expire 30 days after the submission of its final report.

AI Summary

This bill establishes a 13-member Youth Sports Task Force to examine and make recommendations on various issues within youth sports, including abusive coaching, confrontational parents, and bullying of players. The task force will include members with expertise in bullying, public members representing parents and youth athletes, and coaches from different levels of youth sports. Their duties will involve studying and proposing solutions for protecting athletes and parents from unfair business practices by for-profit youth sports organizations, improving financial oversight, training coaches to identify and address harassment, intimidation, and bullying (HIB), promoting youth sports as an extension of education, developing training for parents on HIB and proper spectator conduct, and safeguarding sports officials from abuse. The task force is required to submit a final report with its findings and recommendations to the Governor and Legislature within one year of its organization and will dissolve 30 days after submitting this report.

Committee Categories

Education

Sponsors (2)

Last Action

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Education Committee (on 01/13/2026)

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