BUDGET-SPENDING CAP

104th Regular Session Introduced by Chris Balkema and 3 co-sponsors

Delays mandatory Level 2 background checks for youth athletic coaches in Florida from Jan 1, 2025 to July 1, 2026; effective July 1, 2025.

Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Sally J. Turner

Purpose / Intent

SB 1546 amends Florida law to delay the date when youth athletic coaches (of teams organized by independent sanctioning authorities) must undergo a Level 2 criminal-background screening. The change gives organizers and coaches additional time to comply with the previously scheduled Level 2 screening requirement.

Key provisions

Amends section 943.0438, Florida Statutes, to change the effective date for the requirement that athletic coaches pass a Level 2 background screening from January 1, 2025 to July 1, 2026.

The act itself takes effect July 1, 2025 (the law’s operative date).

Note: earlier committee substitute versions of the bill contained additional provisions (for example, narrowing the definition of “athletic coach” to persons working more than 20 hours per year, authorizing independent sanctioning authorities to participate in the Care Provider Background Screening Clearinghouse, and allowing unscreened persons to coach under direct supervision). A House amendment (Amendment 746405) removed those additional provisions and retained only the change to the effective date.

Who is affected

Independent sanctioning authorities — private, non-governmental entities that organize youth athletic teams (not affiliated with private schools) — will have an extended timeline to begin conducting Level 2 screenings of current and prospective coaches.

Athletic coaches (paid and volunteer) who have direct contact with minors will be subject to the delayed start date for mandatory Level 2 fingerprint-based screenings and any related disqualification rules under s. 435.04, F.S.

Youth sports participants and parents — the delay affects when statewide Level 2 screening protections fully apply.

Procedural / timeline notes

Filed and acted on during the 2025 legislative session; the enrolled bill was approved by the Governor and became Chapter No. 2025-97.

Effective date of the statute: July 1, 2025. The new compliance date for Level 2 screenings: July 1, 2026.

Legislative history: multiple committee substitutes added and then removed provisions; the final enacted version preserved only the delayed effective date.

Context

Level 2 screenings in Florida include fingerprinting and statewide and national criminal-history checks (FDLE and FBI). The statutory framework for these screenings is set out in Chapter 435, F.S. This bill does not change the substance of screening standards or disqualification criteria — it solely postpones the date when the Level 2 requirement becomes mandatory for athletic coaches.

Bill