1. (1) As used in this section:

   1. (a)

      1. (i) "Abusive coaching practice" means conduct by a coach or member of the coaching staff that creates a harmful environment for a student athlete.

      2. (ii) "Abusive coaching practice" includes conduct by a coach or coaching staff with a student athlete that results in:

         1. (A) harmful or offensive physical contact;
         2. (B) sexual misconduct or harassment;
         3. (C) inappropriate sexual language; or
         4. (D) conduct that a reasonable person would find to be psychologically abusive.
   2. (b) "Athletic department" means the division of a degree-granting institution responsible for overseeing intercollegiate athletic programs.

2. (2) A degree-granting institution shall:

   1. (a) address abusive coaching practices by requiring a degree-granting institution's athletic department to adopt a policy by November 7, 2025, that:

      1. (i) allows an individual to submit a complaint to the athletic department alleging a violation of the policies described in this Subsection (2)(a);
      2. (ii) prohibits coaches and coaching staff from encouraging or advising a student athlete to tolerate an abusive coaching practice;
      3. (iii) prohibits coaches and coaching staff from discouraging a report for an abusive coaching practice;
      4. (iv) establishes reporting requirements for a volunteer, coach, or member of the coaching staff who learns of an abusive coaching practice;
      5. (v) mandates training for athletic department staff on recognizing and preventing an abusive coaching practice;
      6. (vi) establishes a procedure for the athletic department to follow when responding to a complaint of an abusive coaching practice; and
      7. (vii) institutes disciplinary action for individuals found in violation of the policies described in this Subsection (2)(a);
   2. (b) submit the policy described in Subsection (2)(a) to the board and Education Interim Committee before the Education Interim Committee's November 2025 meeting; and

   3. (c) establish procedures to:

      1. (i) notify an individual of the receipt of the complaint the individual submits under Subsection (2)(a)(i), within five business days after the submission of the complaint;
      2. (ii) initiate an investigation of the complaint no later than 30 days after the receipt of a complaint;
      3. (iii) require the degree-granting institution to ensure the investigation is as thorough and expeditious as possible; and
      4. (iv) where appropriate, act immediately to stop a program under an athletic department until the degree-granting institution is able to restore an environment that is not harmful.

3. (3)

   1. (a) A degree-granting institution's board of trustees shall:

      1. (i) review the policies a degree-granting institution creates in accordance with Subsection (2)(a); and
      2. (ii) approve the policies a degree-granting institution creates if the policies meet the policy requirements listed in Subsection (2)(a).
   2. (b) Upon approval of the policies by a degree granting institution's board of trustees a degree-granting institution shall send the adopted policies to the board.

Renumbered and Amended by Chapter 8, 2025 Special Session 1