A new law in Florida, set to take effect on July 1, permits head coaches of athletics teams to use their personal funds to support the welfare of their student athletes. The law, also known as the ‘Teddy Bridgewater Act,’ requires the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) to adopt bylaws authorizing head coaches to provide assistance in the form of food, transportation, and recovery services.
Key Provisions of the Law
The bylaws must require a parent to provide written consent before a head coach may provide such assistance to a student. Additionally, the bylaws must restrict the use of personal funds to one head coach per athletic team. Coaches who provide assistance using personal funds must report it to the FHSAA in a manner provided by FHSAA bylaw.
The maximum amount of personal funds a coach may use per athletic team per year is $15,000. The law also authorizes any other organization governing interscholastic athletic competition in Florida to adopt similar bylaws.
Original reporting: WPBF West Palm Beach — read the source article.
