Committee broadens qualifying training for volunteer youth coaches; bill reported with amendments

Senator Edmonds presented Senate Bill 260, which expands the set of trainings that can qualify volunteers for existing liability limitations. Currently volunteers qualify for liability protection if they complete a safety orientation established by a team or league; Edmonds' amendments would allow an external, department‑approved course to satisfy that requirement.

Edmonds said the amendment places course‑approval responsibility with the Louisiana Department of Health and lists example topics (heat and extreme-weather response, musculoskeletal injury recognition, cardiac conditions). He emphasized the bill does not change the existing limitation on volunteer liability but broadens the means by which volunteers can qualify for it. Senators and witnesses praised the training expansion as a safety measure; technical and substantive amendment sets (2,068 and 2,005) were adopted and the bill was reported with amendments.

Committee members noted the goal is to increase practical training availability for volunteer coaches while retaining the liability framework already in law.