WASHINGTON – U.S. Sens. John Thune (R-S.D.) and Bill Nelson (D-Fla.), who serve respectively as the chairman and ranking member of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee with jurisdiction over sports, today announced the introduction of the Safe Sport Authorization Act of 2017 to ensure that aspiring U.S. Olympic athletes can report allegations of abuse to an independent and non-conflicted entity for investigation and response.

“Mishandled responses to sexual abuse within the U.S. Olympic movement are inexcusable and a stain on a source of great national pride for our country,” said Thune. “Setting up an independent entity to serve as a watchdog is a necessary step to ensure that responsible adults do not feel or appear conflicted when abuse is reported.”

“This bill aims to prevent heinous crimes against young athletes by establishing safeguards to protect them from abuse,” said Nelson.“We must do everything we can to allow children to thrive in a healthy athletic environment.” 

Earlier this year, following an inquiry from the Commerce Committee, the U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC) announced the launch of the Center for Safe Sport. Concerns remain, however, since the organization is tied organizationally and financially to the athletic bodies it oversees. Using the independent U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) as a model, this legislation would remove the Center for Safe Sport’s dependence on funding from the USOC and reestablish it as an independent entity eligible to receive federal funding and avoid conflicts of interest.

The legislation follows investigation of grossly mishandled sexual abuse response efforts within the U.S. Olympic community and a hearing earlier this year on athlete safety issues. The legislation is complementary to efforts to protect young athletes included in the “Protecting Young Victims from Sexual Abuse Act of 2017” that establishes criminal penalties for failing to properly report allegations or evidence of abuse. The Senate Commerce Committee will consider and vote on the Safe Sport Authorization Act of 2017 on Thursday, June 29, 2017.

Click here for a copy of S. 1426, the Safe Sport Authorization Act of 2017.

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