Committee refines coaching standards rule, adds explicit prohibitions on drugs, tobacco and paid private camps

The Law & Licensing Committee on May 8 amended the coaching‑standards rule (R277‑605) to clarify prohibited conduct by coaches and activity leaders and to respond to a forthcoming statute that creates moratoriums for some extracurricular programming.

Staff said they intended to reference an August 1 statutory moratorium that will affect when some sports or activities may hold practices or clinics; committee members and UHSAA representatives cautioned that moratorium details vary by sport and school. The committee therefore asked staff to refine the statutory reference but approved a continuation of the rule with the agreed amendments.

Key amendments passed by the committee:
- Replace phrasing so coaches may not "engage in or permit" hazing, demeaning or assaultive behavior while engaged in school‑related activities.
- Add prohibited conduct that explicitly includes illicitly using, possessing or distributing a controlled substance or drug paraphernalia, and prohibitions on tobacco or nicotine products and alcoholic beverages for coaches while on school‑related activities.
- Clarify that school personnel, activity leaders and coaches may not require students to attend out‑of‑school camps, clinics, activities or workshops for which the personnel receive pay from sources other than the employing school or district.

UHSAA and USB staff described existing monitoring systems: UHSAA tracks ejections and game‑day infractions and collects coach certification data through a registration system; the board office said it can retrieve UPUPAC records when licensed educators are referred for discipline but does not presently monitor every non‑licensed coach practice or localized incidents without a formal complaint.

The committee voted unanimously to continue R277‑605 on first reading as amended and forwarded the revised draft to the full board for continuation and final action.