H.R. 9839: Sports Training, Recreation, and Opportunities for the Next Generation Act

This bill would create a federal grant program at the Department of Health and Human Services to support youth sports and physical activity programs for people under 18.

What the program would do

The Secretary of Health and Human Services, working with the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, would award competitive grants to:

• national nonprofits or government organizations, and
• regional nonprofits or state-based government organizations

These grant recipients would then give out subgrants to local nonprofits or government organizations that already have experience running youth sports programs.

Goals of the funding

The money would be used to:

• improve the health and youth-development effects of sports and physical activity programs;
• increase access to youth sports; and
• help more children participate, especially those who face barriers because of disability, income, or where they live.

What subgrant money could pay for

Eligible local groups could use the funds for a wide range of activities, including:

• reducing barriers to participation for children with disabilities or limited resources;
• making sports venues more accessible under the Americans with Disabilities Act;
• waiving or lowering participation fees, including through scholarships;
• training or voluntarily certifying coaches;
• coach and volunteer retention efforts;
• parent and athlete codes of conduct;
• instruction on youth development, character development, teamwork, leadership, and socialization;
• injury prevention, including concussion training;
• safety and risk-management steps, including safer facilities and working with insurance or risk experts;
• background checks, abuse-prevention training, and mandatory reporting policies;
• programs for children with physical or mental disabilities;
• education for parents and caregivers about the value of youth sports and physical activity;
• promoting healthy habits such as drinking water, moving regularly, and eating nutritious snacks;
• participation in the Presidential Active Lifestyle Award program and the Presidential Fitness Test; and
• efforts to recognize young people for improvement over time, regardless of ability.

Who would be prioritized

Grant-funded activities would have to prioritize youth with limited resources.

Application and oversight rules

Organizations applying for the main grants would need to show that they:

• have a plan for making and managing subgrants;
• will provide technical assistance to local grantees;
• will serve youth with limited resources;
• will serve adaptive sports providers for people with disabilities;
• have relevant experience; and
• have policies on background checks for staff and volunteers who work with minors.

They would also need a plan for continuing the work after the grant money runs out.

Funding and grant amounts

The bill would authorize funding tied to a percentage of federal receipts from a wagering tax under the Internal Revenue Code, with the amount adjusted for inflation in later years.

Individual grants could be up to:

• $5 million for national organizations; and
• $2.5 million for regional or state-based organizations.

Local subgrants would have to be between $10,000 and $50,000.

Reporting

HHS would have to report to Congress within 3 years after enactment, and then every 3 years while funds remain available, on the effectiveness and outcomes of projects funded under the program.

Relevant Companies

None found