Full Text of HB2418

LRB104 09422 SPS 19482 b

104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2025 and 2026
HB2418

Introduced 2/4/2025, by Rep. Joyce Mason

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

New Act

Creates the Commission on Youth Sports Act. Creates the Commission on Youth Sports. Provides that the purpose of the Commission is to research, study, and make recommendations to the Governor, the General Assembly, and the Department of Human Services concerning the following: (1) the creation of equitable, safe, and sustainable access for youth across the State to participate in sports that meet their skills and match their interests; (2) expanding integration of positive youth development in youth sports; and (3) and the promotion, development, expansion, hosting, and fostering of youth sports, youth sports programs, and youth sporting events and tournaments throughout the State. Provides that the Department of Human Services shall provide administrative and other support to the Commission. Provides for membership; terms; meetings; and expenses. Provides that the Commission shall submit a report of its findings, research, and recommendations to the Governor, the General Assembly, and the Department of Human Services on or before December 31, 2025, and each year thereafter. Effective immediately.

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning State government.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the Commission on Youth Sports Act.

Section 5. Commission on Youth Sports; purpose; duties.

(a) The Commission on Youth Sports is created.

(b) The purpose of the Commission is to research, study, and make recommendations to the Governor, the General Assembly, and the Department of Human Services concerning the following:

(1) the creation of equitable, safe, and sustainable access for youth across this State to participate in sports that meet their skills and match their interests;

(2) the expansion and integration of positive youth development in youth sports; and

(3) the promotion, development, expansion, hosting, and fostering of youth sports, youth sports programs, and youth sporting events and tournaments throughout this State.

(c) Recommendations made by the Commission shall focus generally on the creation, promotion, and encouragement of sports-based youth development. The recommendations reported by the Commission to the Governor, the General Assembly, and the Department of Human Services shall include, but shall not be limited to, the following objectives:

(1) to support workshops, trainings, and conferences that promote positive youth development through sport;

(2) to connect public, private, local, and State entities to generate funding for youth sports programs and to facilitate the communication of information statewide about youth sports programs and events;

(3) to promote the equitable participation of community youth sports programs;

(4) to encourage the inclusion and participation of persons with disabilities in youth sports and youth sports programs; and

(5) to encourage the inclusion and participation of persons from historically disadvantaged communities in youth sports and youth sports programs.

Section 10. Membership.

(a) The Commission shall include the following members:

(1) one member of the Senate appointed by the President of the Senate;

(2) one member of the Senate appointed by the Minority Leader of the Senate;

(3) one member of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives;

(4) one member of the House of Representatives appointed by the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives;

(5) one member appointed by the Governor representing the Governor's Office; and

(6) 14 members appointed by the Governor as follows:

(A) one person with experience running or coaching a nonprofit organization whose mission is to leverage sport for youth development;

(B) one person with experience running or coaching a nonprofit organization whose mission is to leverage sport for youth development;

(C) one person with experience in adaptive sports programming;

(D) one person with experience coaching or administering youth sports programs for one or more school-sponsored sports teams or sports club;

(E) one person with experience coaching or administering youth sports programs for one or more sports or activities that are not officially sanctioned at the high school level;

(F) one representative of a high school athletic association in this State;

(G) one representative of an elementary school athletic association in this State;

(H) one current or retired physical education teacher;

(I) one parent or caregiver of youth who participate in a nonprofit sports program;

(J) one parent or caregiver of youth who participate in school-sponsored sports;

(K) one person with experience training coaches in positive youth development;

(L) one person with experience in implementing youth sports programming in park districts;

(M) one person with experience in policies, funding, and community engagement to elevate underserved youth; and

(N) one person with experience in the evaluation of youth activities or sports programming and/or coaching and positive youth development.

(b) More than 4 members of the General Assembly may be appointed to serve on the Commission as long as the number of members appointed at any time, except during a vacancy, represent equally each of the majority and minority caucuses of each house.

(c) The Governor shall select the chairperson of the Commission from among the members.

Section 15. Terms; meetings; support; expenses.

(a) Each member of the Commission shall be appointed for a 2-year term and until his or her successor is appointed. The Governor may stagger the members' terms to ensure continuity in the performance of the Commission's responsibilities.

(b) The Commission shall meet initially within 90 days after the effective date of this Act, and at least quarterly thereafter, at the times and places in this State that the Commission designates.

(c) The Department of Human Services shall provide administrative and other support to the Commission. The Department may designate a third party to provide administrative support in a volunteer capacity.

(d) Members of the Commission shall receive no compensation for their participation, but, subject to appropriation, may be reimbursed by the Department of Human Services for expenses in connection with their participation, including travel, subject to the rules of the appropriate travel control board.

Section 20. Reporting. The Commission shall submit a report of its findings, research, and recommendations to the Governor, the General Assembly, and the Department of Human Services on or before December 31, 2025, and each year thereafter.

Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon becoming law.