Policy Is
Protection
Administrators are the architects of safe sports environments. The policies you write, the training you require, the culture you build — these are the structural conditions that either enable or prevent abuse. This page gives you the frameworks, checklists, and legal context to build a program that protects every child.
"I have always been a mandated reporter. From my platform, I believe everyone should be a mandated reporter — and as administrators, you have the power to make that the standard in your organization. Don't just meet the legal minimum. Build a culture where every adult acts as if a child's safety is their personal responsibility."
— Coach Fentriss Winn
Erin's Law: State Adoption Status
Erin's Law requires public schools to implement age-appropriate child sexual abuse prevention education. As of 2025, 42 states have adopted the law, with 3 states still pending. Youth sports programs should apply this standard regardless of their state's status.
What Erin's Law Requires in Adopted States
For youth sports organizations: Erin's Law applies to public schools, not directly to sports programs. However, the standard it sets — age-appropriate body safety education, delivered annually, with trained staff — is the best practice standard for every youth sports program regardless of state law. Coach Winn's platform advocates for applying this standard universally.
The Complete Compliance Checklist
This checklist integrates requirements from the Safe Sport Act, MAAPP, Erin's Law, and state mandatory reporting laws into a single actionable framework for youth sports administrators.
1Screening & Background Checks
Criminal background checks for all coaches, staff, and volunteers with athlete contact
Sex offender registry checks at hire and annually thereafter
Reference checks that specifically ask about boundary violations or inappropriate behavior
Written policy on disqualifying offenses and how exceptions are handled
Documentation of all screening records retained for minimum 7 years
2Education & Training
Annual SafeSport Trained Core course for all adults with regular athlete contact
Annual SafeSport Refresher course in subsequent years
Age-appropriate body safety education for all athletes (Erin's Law standard)
New staff onboarding includes child protection policy review and signature
Training completion records documented and accessible for audit
3Policies & Procedures
Written Child Protection Policy (CPP) reviewed and updated annually
One-on-one interaction policy (two-deep leadership or observable/interruptible)
Electronic communication policy (no private messaging with athletes)
Locker room and changing area policy with enforcement procedures
Travel and lodging policy (no adult-athlete room sharing)
Photography and social media policy
Reporting protocol clearly documented and communicated to all staff
4Reporting Infrastructure
Named Child Protection Officer (CPO) or Safe Sport Coordinator
Clear reporting chain that does not require going through the alleged abuser
Documented process for receiving, recording, and acting on reports
Whistleblower protection policy for staff who report concerns
Mandatory reporting obligations communicated to all staff in writing
5Response & Documentation
Written protocol for responding to disclosures from athletes
Documentation requirements for all reports and responses
Cooperation protocol with law enforcement and child protective services
Interim safety measures while investigations are pending
Communication protocol for notifying families while protecting privacy
Mandatory Reporting Laws by State
Key states shown below. All 50 states have mandatory reporting laws — consult your state's child welfare agency for the complete current requirements in your jurisdiction.
| State | Who Must Report | Report To | Timeline | Penalty for Failure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | Coaches, teachers, school staff, volunteers at youth organizations | County CPS or law enforcement | Immediately by phone, written report within 36 hours | Misdemeanor, up to 6 months jail + fine |
| Texas | Any person (universal reporter state) | Texas DFPS Abuse Hotline: 1-800-252-5400 | Immediately or as soon as possible | Class A misdemeanor |
| Florida | Coaches, teachers, school staff, all licensed professionals | Florida Abuse Hotline: 1-800-962-2873 | Immediately | Third-degree felony |
| New York | Teachers, coaches, school staff, licensed professionals | NY Statewide Central Register: 1-800-342-3720 | Immediately by phone, written report within 48 hours | Class A misdemeanor |
| Illinois | Teachers, coaches, school staff, child care workers | DCFS Hotline: 1-800-252-2873 | Immediately | Class A misdemeanor |
| Pennsylvania | School employees, coaches, volunteers in youth programs | ChildLine: 1-800-932-0313 | Immediately | Third-degree misdemeanor to second-degree felony |
Consult legal counsel for your jurisdiction. Mandatory reporting laws change frequently. The information above is for general reference only. Your organization should consult with a licensed attorney in your state to ensure full compliance with current law. Additionally, the Safe Sport Act imposes federal reporting obligations that apply regardless of state law.
Understanding Your Organization's Liability
Organizations that fail to prevent or respond to child sexual abuse face significant legal, financial, and reputational consequences. Understanding the liability framework is essential for building adequate protections.
Failure to conduct adequate background checks before hiring coaches or staff.
Mitigation Strategy
Document all screening steps. Retain records. Establish disqualifying offense policies.
Failure to monitor staff behavior or enforce policies that prevent abuse.
Mitigation Strategy
Enforce two-deep leadership. Conduct regular policy compliance audits. Document supervision.
Administrators who knew or should have known about abuse and failed to report it.
Mitigation Strategy
Train all staff on mandatory reporting obligations. Create clear reporting chains. Document all reports.
Organizations that receive reports and fail to act, or that create conditions enabling abuse.
Mitigation Strategy
Respond to every report. Document every response. Cooperate fully with investigations.
Staff or athletes who report abuse and face adverse consequences.
Mitigation Strategy
Written whistleblower protection policy. Enforce it. Document all personnel actions.
Build the Culture, Not Just the Policy
Policies protect organizations. Culture protects children. Coach Winn's platform calls for administrators to go beyond compliance — to build environments where every adult treats child safety as their personal responsibility, where reporting is expected and protected, and where the standard is universal, not jurisdictional.
"The law tells you who has to report. I'm telling you everyone should. When you build a program where every coach, every parent, every volunteer sees themselves as a mandated reporter — that's when you've actually built a safe program. The paperwork is the floor. The culture is the ceiling."
— Coach Fentriss Winn