ABUSE PREVENTION PROGRAM
USA Swimming is committed to providing a healthy and positive environment free from abuse for all its members. USA Swimming’s Safe Sport program, a comprehensive abuse prevention program, consists of a multi-layered approach to keep kids safe, including: required policies and best practice guidelines; mandatory screening, including criminal background checks and employment screening; training and education; monitoring, supervision and mandatory reporting. These measures are informed by experts in the field of child safety and are among the strongest safeguards found in youth-serving organizations.
Colorado Safer Youth Sports Bill (SB24-113)
The Colorado Safer Youth Sports bill (SB24-113) must be implemented starting July 1, 2025. As a reflection of USA Swimming’s Safe Sport efforts, we are proud to share that all Colorado clubs and adult non-athlete members already meet the requirements. We will update this information should anything change, or we receive further information from the Colorado Attorney General’s office about the requirements of the bill.
Requirements dictate that each USA Swimming coach complete mandatory reporter training on an annual basis. The legislation also encourages each coach to complete abuse prevention training to help identify and prevent prohibited conduct. USA Swimming coaches already meet these expectations through USA Swimming’s requirement that every adult non-athlete member complete Athlete Protection Training on an annual basis.
Additionally, the legislation requires that all coaches comply with a code of conduct and complete a background check— including screening for felony child abuse and sexual offenses — before they can start working with any teams or children. USA Swimming coaches comply with these requirements by purchasing their annual USA Swimming membership, agreeing to USA Swimming’s Code of Conduct, and completing a background check every two years.
USA Swimming’s Rulebook, specifically Article 304-307, lists prohibited behaviors for all individuals, both members and participating non-members, along with a mandatory reporting policy for those aware of violations, which also assists our Colorado members in complying with the bill.
There is only one action that all Colorado clubs must take to demonstrate compliance with SB24-113. By July 1, 2025, all Colorado clubs must link here to the USA Swimming Safe Sport website which clarifies the expectations of SB24-113.
The measures in the Colorado Safer Youth Sports bill aim to enhance safety and accountability in youth sports by establishing clear guidelines and ensuring coaches are properly vetted and trained.
