SB 5880 - DIGEST

Declares that: (1) The safety, health, and welfare of children and families of this state would benefit by the establishment of a uniform registration and disclosure system for all persons privately engaging in the business of providing, for compensation, athletic coaching services to persons under the age of eighteen; and

(2) A parent's or guardian's right to know of the criminal history background of any person providing or offering to provide athletic coaching services to their child far outweighs any right that the athletic coach may have to keep such matters secret or private.

Declares that it is unlawful for any person to advertise or offer to provide, engage in, conduct, or carry on the business of privately providing youth athletic coaching services in this state unless the person possesses a valid, unsuspended, and unexpired certificate of registration issued by the department under this act.

Provides that a person who violates this act is guilty of: (1) A gross misdemeanor if the person has no criminal conviction appearing on any criminal history background record as of the date of the violation; and

(2) A class C felony if the person has any criminal conviction for any offense appearing on any criminal history background record as of the date of the violation.

Provides that the director may require, by rule, any information and documentation that reasonably relates to the need to determine whether the applicant meets the criteria to be registered as a youth athletic coach.

Declares that an applicant must meet the following minimum requirements to obtain a certificate of registration as a youth athletic coach: (1) Be at least eighteen years of age;

(2) Be a citizen or resident alien of the United States;

(3) Have a place of business or residence located in the state;

(4) Submit a fully completed application on the form prescribed by the director, including a set of the applicant's fingerprints that are readable by the Washington state patrol criminal identification system under RCW 10.97.030 and 10.97.050 and through the federal bureau of investigation fingerprint check using a complete Washington state criminal identification fingerprint card.