Youth Sports and Public Liability

The Grand Jury found that all cities and Districts in the County, except the cities of Port Hueneme and Santa Paula, allow non-affiliated sports leagues to use city or district property for practice or play.

The Grand Jury found that none of the cities or Districts in the County require proof of compliance with AB 2007 from non-affiliated sports leagues when permitting them to use city or district property for practice or play.

The Grand Jury found that none of the cities or Districts in the County require proof from non-affiliated sports leagues that child physical or sexual abuse prevention training, reporting and enforcement policies are in place when permitting them to use city or district property for practice or play.

The Grand Jury found that none of the cities or Districts require proof that parents have given permission for their child to play sports that could cause physical injury (parental waivers) are obtained by the non-affiliated sports leagues when permitting them to use city or district property for practice or play.

The Grand Jury found that none of the cities or Districts require proof of liability insurance coverage specifically for child physical or sexual abuse or concussion-related injury claims from non-affiliated sports leagues when permitting them to use city or district property for practice or play. Youth Sports and Public Liability

The Grand Jury found that city and district insurance programs varied greatly with respect to the types of insurance and coverage amounts. Most insurance programs were not specific to litigation arising from the conduct of youth sports on city or district property. Conclusions C-01. The Grand Jury concluded that most cities and Districts in the County allow non-affiliated sports leagues to use their facilities to practice or play. However, they do not require proof of compliance with California law regarding protection against concussion-related injuries from these leagues. They also do not require proof that procedures for preventing and reporting child physical or sexual abuse are in place. (FA-01, FA-02, FA- 03) C-02. The Grand Jury concluded that cities and Districts do not require proof of adequate parental waivers and insurance coverage from non-affiliated sports leagues to protect against legal action that could jeopardize public monetary resources. (FA-04, FA-05) C-03. The Grand Jury concluded that cities and Districts are underinsured with respect to the type of coverage and coverage amounts to sufficiently protect them from litigation arising from the conduct of youth sports on city or district property. (FA-06) Recommendations R-01. The Grand Jury recommends that all cities and Districts require proof from non-affiliated sports leagues that they are in compliance with California law regarding concussion-related sports injuries and that they have child physical or sexual abuse prevention and reporting procedures in place as a condition of the use of public facilities for practice or play. (C-01) R-02. The Grand Jury recommends that all cities and Districts require proof of adequate parental waivers from participants and sufficient insurance coverage from non-affiliated sports leagues as a condition of the use of public facilities for practice or play. (C-02) R-03. The Grand Jury recommends that all cities and Districts review their own insurance coverage to ensure that they are adequately protected with respect to potential claims arising from the conduct of youth sports on city or district property. (C-03) Youth Sports and Public Liability 3 Responses Responses Required From: City Council, City of Oxnard (C0-1, C-02, C-03) (R-01, R-02, R-03) City Council, City of Ventura (C-01, C-02, C-03) (R-01, R-02, R-03) City Council, City of Moorpark (C-01, C-02, C-03) (R-01, R-02, R-03) City Council, City of Fillmore (C-01, C-02, C-03) (R-01, R-02, R-03) City Council, City of Ojai (C-01, C-02, C-03) (R-01, R-02, R-03) City Council, City of Port Hueneme (C-01, C-02, C-03) (R-01, R-02, R-03) City Council, City of Santa Paula (C-01, C-02, C-03) (R-01, R-02, R-03) Board of Directors, Conejo Valley Recreation and Parks District (C-01, C-02, C-03) (R-01, R-02, R-03) Board of Directors, Pleasant Valley Recreation and Parks District (C-01, C-02, C-03) (R-01, R-02, R-03) Board of Directors, Rancho Simi Recreation and Parks District (C-01, C-02, C-03) (R-01, R-02, R-03) References Ref-01. Protecting Young Victims From Sexual Abuse and Safe Sport Authorization Act of 2017 https://www.usyouthsoccer.org/protecting-young-victims-from-sexual- abuse-and-safe-sport-authorization-act-of-2017 Accessed April 11, 2019 Ref-02. AB 2007 https://www.lcwlegal.com/news/ab-2007-requires-youth-sports- organization-to-abide-by-specified-safety-requirements-regarding- concussions-and-other-head-injuries Accessed April 11, 2019 4 Youth Sports and Public Liability Glossary TERM DEFINITION AB 2007 California Youth Sports Concussion Protocols, which requires youth sports organizations that offer athletic programs to comply with specified safety requirements regarding concussions or other head injuries County County of Ventura Districts Independent Parks and Recreation Districts Grand Jury 2018-2019 Ventura County Grand Jury Non-affiliated Youth sports leagues that are not organized or sports leagues regulated by a national governing body such as American Youth Soccer Organization or Little League Parental waiver A document signed by a parent of a child giving permission for that child to participate in a sport that may cause physical injuries and waiving liability claims against a third party SASSAA Sexual Abuse and Safe Sports Authorization Act, federal law that requires that all adults who are authorized to interact with minors in national youth sports organizations report suspected child sexual abuse to authorities. This act also requires national governing bodies of organized sports leagues to develop and enforce policies and procedures to report and respond to child abuse or molestation claims. Youth Sports and Public Liability 5