House Judiciary Committee Bill to Protect Young Athletes is Signed into Law

Press Release

Today, the President signed the Protecting Young Victims from Sexual Abuse and Safe Sport Authorization Act, a product of the House Judiciary Committee's efforts to protect children from abuse. House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodatte (R-Va.) issued the following statement:

Chairman Goodlatte: "Today, I was extremely happy to witness the President sign the Protecting Young Victims from Sexual Abuse and Safe Sport Authorization Act, which will make amateur athletics safer for future generations of competitors. As I have watched the U.S. Olympic team compete this year, I have been struck by the dedication of our young athletes to overcome personal hardship in pursuit of their goals. In particular, I have been moved by the courage of sexual abuse survivors who came forward with their stories. This bill champions the cause of these survivors and creates safeguards against abuse by mandating that amateur athletics governing bodies immediately report such allegations to law enforcement.

"I am proud of the work that we have done to make this bipartisan legislation a reality. This bill is a triumph for our brave young athletes, and I am pleased that it is now the law of the land."

Background:

The House of Representatives passed the Protecting Young Victims from Sexual Abuse and Safe Sport Authorization Act (S. 534) in January 2018. Chairman Goodlatte also authored a column about this legislation.

The House Judiciary Committee previously passed companion legislation, the Protecting Young Victims from Sexual Abuse Act (H.R. 1973), which also passed the full House of Representatives. At the beginning of the 115th Congress, Chairman Goodlatte also praised the House of Representatives for passing a series of bills to protect children from exploitation and abuse.

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