New York State Assembly

Bill No.:  

 
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A02203 Summary:

BILL NO	A02203
SAME AS	No Same As
SPONSOR	Manktelow
COSPNSR	DeStefano, Hawley, Reilly, Smullen, Miller
MLTSPNSR
Add §727, N-PC L; add Art 10 §§10-101 & 10-102, Gen Ob L
Exempts volunteers in recreational activities, including but not limited to, little league coaches, managers, assistants and members of the board of directors from civil liability while providing services or rendering assistance to a player or participant as a result of such volunteer's acts of commission or omission arising out of or in the course of rendering such services or assistance during competitive games and practices.

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A02203 Floor Votes:

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A02203 Memo:

NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY
MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION
 submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)



 
BILL NUMBER: A2203
 
SPONSOR: Manktelow

 
TITLE OF BILL:
 
An act to amend the not-for-profit corporation law and the general obli-
gations law, in relation to exempting volunteer coaches, managers,
referees, assistants and members of the board of directors for certain
youths programs from civil liability while providing services or assist-
ance to a player or participant
 
 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
 
To protect volunteer coaches, managers, assistants, etc., of sports
teams from civil liability while providing service to players and/or
participants.
 
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
 
Section 1 adds a new § 727 to the Not-for-Profit Corporation Law and
 
Section 2 adds a new Article 10 to the General Obligations Law.Both
provide immunity from civil action to volunteer coaches, managers,
referees, etc. of organized sports programs for acts of commission or
omission undertaken during the course of such volunteer activity.
 
 
JUSTIFICATION:
 
Various sports programs for youths under the age of 18 are dependent
upon volunteers to act as coaches, managers, referees, etc. without
their services, many children would be unable to enjoy and participate
in a sports program on a competitive level. However volunteers, simply
by, acting as such, place themselves in, a situation where they are
subject to civil liability for acts of commission or omission, even when
such acts are undertaken in good faith and with the best interest of the
children at heart.

This bill will limit such liability for such actions but will not allow
immunity for acts which are willful, wanton or grossly negligent. This
should serve to encourage persons to volunteer to coach and referee
sports teams, thus permitting the children of this state to continue to
enjoy competitive sports.
 
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
 
2020-22: Referred to Judiciary;
 
2023-24: Referred to Judiciary
 
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:
 
None.
 
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
Immediately.

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