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SB 550

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2026 Regular Session Introduced by David Rochefort

NC requires middle/high school coaches and athletic directors to hold unexpired, SBE-approved youth mental health first aid certification to coach and access public facilities.

Signed by the Governor on 07/02/2026; Chapter 264; Effective 01/01/2027
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Bill Summary · SB 550

SB 550 — "Coaches Care Act" (North Carolina) — Summary

Main purpose

Require youth athletics coaches to complete youth mental health first aid training and ensure publicly supported youth athletics programs use only coaches with current certification — with the goal of improving early identification, on‑site response, and referral for youth experiencing mental health or substance‑use challenges.

Key provisions

  • Adds youth mental health first aid to student health & safety rulemaking (amends G.S. 115C‑407.55(2)).
  • Creates a new statute, G.S. 115C‑407.57A, that:
    • Defines an approved "training program" as one that certifies participants in (1) recognizing signs/symptoms of mental health challenges and substance use, (2) assisting youth in crisis, and (3) connecting youth to professional resources.
    • Requires the State Board of Education (SBE), after consulting the Center for Safer Schools, the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), and the UNC School of Social Work, to select and publish a list of approved training programs on the SBE website annually by March 1.
    • Directs the SBE to adopt rules requiring all middle‑ and high‑school coaches and athletic directors to hold an unexpired certification from an SBE‑approved training program.
    • Requires each middle and high school to keep complete, accurate records of compliance.
  • Adds G.S. 160A‑358 (Article 18, Chapter 160A) governing local government use of facilities:
    • Prohibits counties/cities from allowing youth athletics organizations to use city/county parks, recreation centers, or facilities unless all coaches hold unexpired certification from an SBE‑approved youth mental health first aid program.
    • Requires counties/cities to maintain compliance records.
  • SBE’s initial required selection: The National Council for Mental Wellbeing’s Youth Mental Health First Aid and Teen Mental Health First Aid courses — to be published by March 1, 2026 and annually through March 1, 2030 if those courses remain offered. SBE may review and add other programs beginning March 1, 2031 or earlier if substantial curriculum changes occur.
  • Effective date and applicability: Act takes effect upon enactment and applies beginning July 1, 2026.

Who is affected

  • Primary: middle‑ and high‑school coaches and athletic directors in North Carolina public schools; youth athletics coaches using municipal or county facilities.
  • Secondary: schools, school districts, local governments (counties/cities) — which must enforce certification requirements and maintain records; youth athletics organizations seeking public facility access.
  • Training providers approved by SBE and public health/education partners engaged in consultations.

Implementation & timeline

  • SBE must publish approved programs by March 1, 2026 (initial mandatory selection of two National Council courses).
  • Law applies to school operations and facility access beginning July 1, 2026.
  • Annual publication of approved trainings by March 1 each year; potential program review/selection changes beginning March 1, 2031.

Potential impacts and considerations

  • Anticipated benefits: earlier recognition and response to youth mental health/substance‑use issues; safer athletic environments.
  • Administrative effects: schools and local governments will need systems to verify certifications and retain records; coaches must complete and periodically recertify (cost/time burden may fall on coaches, districts, or organizations).
  • No penalty scheme specified in the statute text; enforcement is tied to access to public facilities and school employment/role requirements.
  • Fiscal impacts depend on who bears training costs and administrative workload; not specified in the statute.

Legislative status (from provided timeline)

  • Introduced Feb 20, 2025; passed first reading; adopted provisions specify rulemaking and implementation deadlines as noted above.

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

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