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SB 260

LIABILITY: Provides relative to youth athletics. (gov sig)

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Gary Carter and 5 co-sponsors

Extends liability protections to certain youth athletic volunteers who complete an LDH-approved youth injury mitigation course and keeps a public list of approved courses.

Effective date 5/22/2026.
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Bill Summary · SB 260

Summary of SB 260 (2026, Louisiana) – Liability: Youth Athletics

Proposed law expands and clarifies liability protections for volunteers involved in youth athletic activities by introducing a dedicated youth injury mitigation framework.

1) Main purpose and intent

  • To provide an additional limitation of liability for certain volunteer athletic personnel who complete a specific youth injury mitigation course.
  • To establish an official process for approving and maintaining a list of approved youth injury mitigation courses, administered by the Louisiana Department of Health (LDH).
  • To incorporate these courses into the safety orientation and training framework existing for volunteers.

2) Key provisions and changes

  • New defined course: “Youth injury mitigation course” (or “youth injury mitigation and information course” in the original bill text) is defined to cover critical topics relevant to safety in youth sports.

  • Liability protection extended:

    • Adds a liability limitation for certain volunteer athletic personnel who have completed an approved youth injury mitigation course.
    • This extends the scope of the existing liability limitation for volunteers who participate in a safety orientation and training program established by their league or team.

  • LDH approval and administration:

    • The Louisiana Department of Health will establish and administer an approval process for courses that meet the youth injury mitigation course requirements.
    • LDH will publish and maintain on its official website a list of approved courses within 180 days of the law’s effective date, and will annually review and update the list.

  • Course content requirements: Each approved youth mitigation course must include instruction on:

    1. Emergency preparedness, planning, and response for traumatic injuries during youth athletic activities.
    2. Heat and extreme weather-related injuries.
    3. Musculoskeletal overuse, physical conditioning, recovery, and training equipment usage.
    4. Heart defects and abnormalities leading to sudden cardiac death.

  • Administrative rules: LDH may adopt rules under the Administrative Procedure Act to implement the provisions.

  • Funding and delivery of courses:

    • LDH is not required to spend department funds to develop the courses.
    • The department may spend donated funds to purchase courses or accept donated online courses, provided they are approved by the department.

3) Who/what is affected

  • Volunteers and personnel involved in youth athletics who are deemed safety-related roles (e.g., coaches, managers, athletic trainers, team officials, or health care providers) and participate in or complete youth injury mitigation courses.
  • Youth athletic organizations that rely on volunteer staff for safety and supervision.
  • Louisiana Department of Health (administrative and program role) to implement and maintain course approvals and the approved course list.

4) Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Effective date: Upon the governor’s signature or lapse of time for gubernatorial action (i.e., not August 1, 2026 as initially proposed in the original version; amended to immediate effect upon signature).

  • Approval process timeline: LDH must publish the list of approved courses within 180 days after the bill’s effective date and must review/update the list annually.

  • Rulemaking: LDH is authorized to adopt implementing rules under the Administrative Procedure Act.

5) Notable amendments (Senate Committee amendments)

  • Technical changes to wording and structure.
  • Explicitly assigns LDH the duty to establish and administer the course approval process.
  • Specifies the content requirements for each youth mitigation course.
  • Requires ongoing maintenance of the approved course list.
  • Allows donation-based funding and donated courses (with department approval).
  • Changes the effective date to immediate upon governor action (instead of a fixed August 1, 2026 date).

6) Effective date and status

  • Effective upon governor’s signature or lapse of time for gubernatorial action.
  • Amended and passed by the Senate Judiciary A committee; moved forward for final passage.

This bill aims to strengthen youth athlete safety by ensuring volunteers complete an approved, standardized injury mitigation curriculum, while providing a clear, publicly accessible list of approved courses and flexible funding options for course availability.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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