SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 6229

As of February 5, 2004

Title: An act relating to the licensing of private sports coaches or trainers.

Brief Description: Providing for the licensing of private sports coaches or trainers.

Sponsors: Senators Franklin, Kohl-Welles, Fairley, Rasmussen and Shin.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Commerce & Trade: 2/6/04.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE & TRADE

Staff: Jennifer Strus (786-7316)

Background: Currently, a person who offers private athletic coaching or training to children or youth is not required by state law to be licensed or certified. There is also no requirement that these coaches or trainers submit to a background check before offering their services.

Summary of Bill: A person is prohibited from representing himself or herself to the public as a private sports coach or trainer unless he or she is licensed. The applicant for a coach or trainer's license must meet specific requirements. The Department of Licensing (DOL) must conduct a background check of each applicant.

DOL shall suspend a trainer or coach's license if the person has not complied with a child support order, defaulted on a student loan, or participated in unprofessional conduct, including being convicted of a crime against children or having been found by a dependency court to have abused a child. The director of DOL must afford a licensee an opportunity for an administrative hearing under the Administrative Procedure Act before making a final decision on whether to suspend or revoke the license of a trainer or coach found to have participated in unprofessional conduct.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.