SENATE MEMORIAL 84

51st legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2014

INTRODUCED BY

Michael S. Sanchez

A MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE WORKING GROUP CREATED IN SENATE MEMORIAL 97 OF THE 2013 LEGISLATIVE SESSION TO CONTINUE WORKING WITH THE CHILDREN, YOUTH AND FAMILIES DEPARTMENT AND THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH IN THE CREATION OF A YOUTH SPORTS COMMISSION, TO PROMOTE SAFE AND SUFFICIENT FACILITIES AND TO IMPROVE AND PROVIDE BETTER SAFETY STANDARDS FOR ALL YOUTH SPORTS PARTICIPANTS WHILE PROVIDING AND PROMOTING SPORTING EVENTS THAT WILL ENHANCE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN NEW MEXICO.

     WHEREAS, in 2013, Senate Memorial 97 directed individuals, organizations and agencies from all venues of youth sports to study and evaluate the concept of creating a youth sports commission in New Mexico; and

     WHEREAS, the working group created by Senate Memorial 97 is working and collaborating with New Mexico medical professionals to develop a youth sports participant database to determine the status of sports-related injuries treated by New Mexico hospitals and emergency rooms; and

     WHEREAS, the working group's safety and health subcommittee has partnered with the brain injury advisory council to evaluate and make recommendations on concussion protocols, including amendments, if necessary, to the Public School Code; and

     WHEREAS, the working group, which represents all areas of youth sports, continues to engage with cities, counties and other entities on the need to improve and enhance athletic venues for youth sports participants; and

     WHEREAS, the facilities improvements subcommittee of the working group is focusing on improving sports venues to promote economic growth in the youth sports area similar to many surrounding cities in the southwest; and

     WHEREAS, the coaches protocol subcommittee of the working group is exploring a mechanism for all youth sports organizations to provide and have in place a proper channel where all youth sports participants subjected to verbal, physical or sexual abuse can report those improprieties; and

     WHEREAS, the coaches protocol subcommittee of the working group continues to establish a statewide standardized criminal history check for volunteers, officials and coaches that will be acceptable to all organizations, programs and agencies; and

     WHEREAS, the working group continues to explore all feasible plans to create a youth sports commission, whether as a pilot program or statewide commission;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the working group created during the 2013 legislative session by Senate Memorial 97, the children, youth and families department and the department of health be requested to continue to explore the feasibility of creating a youth sports commission to improve youth sports in all areas; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the working group be requested to prepare a report on the status on creating a youth sports commission and present its findings to the interim legislative health and human services committee by November 1, 2014; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the youth sports commission working group chair, the secretary of children, youth and families, the secretary of health and the vice chair of the interim legislative health and human services committee.

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