(a)The commission shall conduct a study of issues in youth sports that includes all of the following:
(1)An assessment of the need and potential for a centralized entity to improve access to and involvement in sports for all youth, regardless of race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, income, or geographic location, that addresses issues in youth sports, including, but not limited to, all of the following:
(A)Disparities in youth sports programming quality and availability.
(B)How to foster a safe, supportive, and
inclusive environment for youth sports.
(C)How to increase and integrate regular physical activity and sports into the daily lives of youth, including, but not limited to, through after school programs and community-based organizations.
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(a)
The commission shall conduct a study of issues in youth sports that includes all of the following:
(1)
An assessment of the need and potential for a centralized entity to improve access to and involvement in sports for all youth, regardless of race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, income, or geographic location, that addresses issues in youth sports, including, but not limited to, all of the following:
(A)
Disparities in youth sports programming quality and availability.
(B)
How to foster a safe, supportive, and
inclusive environment for youth sports.
(C)
How to increase and integrate regular physical activity and sports into the daily lives of youth, including, but not limited to, through after school programs and community-based organizations.
(D)
How to implement statewide coaching certification requirements to ensure quality training for all coaches in youth sports.
(E)
How to improve training and strategies for youth development, safety protocols, equity and inclusion, and sport-specific knowledge across the youth sports landscape.
(F)
How to update and promote practices and safety protocols, including support for diverse forms of physical activity to increase equity
and access to youth sports and play.
(G)
How to better integrate structured sports and team-building activities into the daily lives of youth.
(H)
How to create a mechanism for sustainable and adequate state investment in youth sports to improve accessibility, infrastructure, and overall quality.
(I)
How to increase state investment in the expansion of accessible, free, or low-cost after school and community-based youth sports programs that complement academic and recreational goals.
(J)
How to create a mechanism for state and local funding initiatives that reduce or eliminate financial barriers to youth sports participation.
(2)
An evaluation of and recommendations for the duties, powers, and responsibilities of a centralized entity, including, but not limited to, all of the following:
(A)
A determination of the appropriate levels of oversight of relevant laws and regulations, including safety and licensing requirements for coaches and staff of youth sports.
(B)
A determination of which youth sports would benefit from support and regulation from a centralized entity.
(C)
Development and administration of statewide licensing and safety requirements.
(D)
Development and administration of statewide youth sports access and
quality standards.
(E)
Development of strategies and best practices to improve access and equity to competitive and noncompetitive youth sports and play.
(F)
Coordination of relevant state, local, and federal entities to improve access and equity in youth sports programs, including sharing best practices and resources.
(G)
Identifying duplication of efforts and inefficiencies among state and local entities and youth sports programs.
(H)
Identifying data gaps and development of data collection and reporting requirements.
(3)
A review of and recommendations for both of the following:
(A)
The costs of creating and sustaining a centralized entity.
(B)
Potential funding sources, including state, federal, private, and philanthropic sources.
(b)
In conducting the study, the commission shall analyze models of centralized entities in other states and countries that are charged with supporting and regulating youth sports.
(c)
The department may enter into a contract with an external entity, including an institution of higher education or a
nonprofit organization with relevant expertise, to conduct the study required by this section.
(d)
Before finalizing the study and before submission pursuant to subdivision (e), the commission shall publically present the study and provide an opportunity for public feedback.
(e)
(1)
The commission shall submit the study conducted pursuant to this section to the Legislature and the Governor on or before January 1, 2028, or two years after implementation of this article commences pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 124256, whichever is later.
(2)
A report to be submitted to the Legislature pursuant to paragraph (1) shall be submitted in compliance with Section 9795 of the Government Code.