The Alabama Senate unanimously passed legislation on Thursday that would ensure youth athletic coaches understand how to quickly and effectively tend to a concussed player or one suffering from other serious head injuries.

SB140, the Coach Safely Act, sponsored by State Sen. Jabo Waggoner (R-Vestavia), specifies that coaches of children ages 14 and under must complete specialized training on concussions, head trauma, and other serious injuries common in high-risk sports.

“Just like a solid defense wins games on the field, strong protections for our young athletes allow them to grow up to live happy, healthy lives,” said Waggoner. “In Alabama, sports are a way of life, and Senate Republicans are working to protect our kids on and off the field.”

Under SB140, the Department of Public Health will notify youth athletic associations that do not meet the established training requirements. Should non-compliance persist for two years, the department will be authorized to levy fines. Any association that remains non-compliant for four consecutive years will be barred from administering or conducting youth athletic activities on state property.

This legislation continues Waggoner’s commitment to youth athletic safety. In 2018, he made legislative history when the Alabama Legislature passed The Coach Safely Act (AL Code 2018-496), making Alabama the first state in the nation to require youth coaches to complete annual training in injury recognition and prevention for athletes ages 14 and under.

Tennessee, Arkansas, Georgia, and Texas have followed Alabama’s lead, adopting similar laws and protections for young athletes.

The bill will now go to the House of Representatives for consideration.

Austen Shipley is the News Director for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on X @ShipleyAusten.