Advocacy - Call to Action Issues

Believe It or Not - You Are Already Involved in Government Relations!

The Issues

Speak out on important issues and contribute to legislation affecting fields and facilities, advocate for the protection and safety of our children, fight obesity, promote physical activity & fitness, and influence other important youth sports industry public policy concerns.

Government relations programs can be informational, reactive, proactive, or a mix. the NCYS is prepared to put forth legislation, respond to legislation that has already been introduced, mobilize grassroots volunteers when a bill is approaching final action, or commenting on published regulations. We are prepared to provide input to lawmakers, especially those on the committees or subcommittees that work on fine-tuning bills. We are also prepared to be proactive government relations partners with other groups by initiating legislation and providing input for laws and regulations as they are written.

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Congressional Caucus on Youth Sports Legislative Agenda:
      (F.A.N.S.) Fitness, Access, Nutrition and Safety

Fitness

Fitness Integrated with Teaching (FIT) Kids Act

H.R. 1057 and S. 576
Sponsors: Representative Ron Kind (D-WI) and Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA)
Introduced: March 15, 2011

Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) to require state and local educational agencies to report annually on school health and physical education programs.

  • Includes professional development training for physical and health teachers on improving children's health.
  • Accesses impact of health and physical activity on ability to learn, makes recommendations on improving health and physical education in schools.

Fitness Integrated with Teaching (FIT) Kids Act

H.R. 422
Sponsor: Rep. Joe Baca (D-CA)
Introduced: January 25, 2011

Amends ESEA to ensure that schools provide:

(1) 150 minutes of physical education per week for elementary schools.
(2) 225 minutes of physical education per week for middle and secondary schools.
(3) Disabled students with physical education.

Access

GAO Study on Youth Sports

Sponsors: Rep. Mike McIntyre (D-NC) and Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA)

To investigate the current state of youth sports, specifically opportunities available to youth, including those in disadvantaged populations; how sports aid in the development of youth; and the role of the federal government in supporting youth sports programs.

Promoting Health as Youth Skills in Classrooms and Life Act

S. 392
Sponsor: Senator Tom Udall (D-NM)
Introduced: February 17, 2011

Establishes an Office of Safe and Healthy Students to assume the responsibilities of the Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools and expand upon those responsibilities to include broader health and physical education issues.

  • Amends ESEA to include health education and physical education in the definition of "core academic subjects."
  • Authorizes the Secretary of Education to award grants to initiate, expand, and improve health education programs for K-12 students.
  • Authorizes appropriations for FY2012-FY2016 for the Carol M. White Physical Education Program (PEP).

Personal Health Investment Today Act of 2011 (PHIT)

H.R. 2649
Sponsor: Rep. Kevin Brady (R-TX), Rep. Ron Kind (D-WI)
Re-introduced: July 26, 2011

Encourages healthy, active lifestyles by allowing for the deduction or use of pretax dollars to cover expenses related to sports, fitness and other physical activities making physical activities more affordable.

  • Allows Americans to invest up to $2,000 annually to pay for these activities by placing money in existing pre-tax Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA), Medical Savings Accounts (MSA) and/or medical reimbursement arrangements.
  • PHIT would not increase the contribution limits for pretax accounts; it would only expand the list of eligible expenses.
  • Once an individual or family spends 7.5% of their income on qualified medical expenses, they can deduct physical activity expenses directly.

High School Sports Accountability Act

H.R. 458
Sponsor: Rep. Louise Slaughter (D-NY)
Introduced: January 26, 2011

Require high schools to report basic data on the number of male and female students to their athletic programs and the expenditures made on each sports team. Public access to this information would permit schools and communities better insight into female athletic participation and subsequently improve females' opportunities.

Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF)

The request for FY12 is to maintain consistent and robust funding for the LWCF which makes critical investments in close-to-home parks and outdoor recreation facilities in both urban and rural areas in every state. Since its inception in 1965, the LWCF has funded projects in 98% of US counties, and has ensured access to ball parks, soccer fields, and green spaces for millions of youth.

Carol M. White Physical Education Program (PEP)

The request for Fiscal Year 2012 is to maintain funding at $79 million for PEP which provides school-based physical education, an essential element for healthy growth and development in our children. PEP is the only federal program that supports physical education.

Urban Revitalization and Livable Communities Act

H.R. 709
Sponsor: Rep. Albio Sires (D-NJ)
Introduced: February 15, 2011

Provides federal grant funding through the Department of Housing and Urban Development to revitalize urban areas through local park and recreation projects and programs.

Nutrition

Healthy Children Through Nutrition Education Act

H.R. 576
Sponsor: Rep. Joe Baca (D-CA)
Introduced: February 9, 2011

Amends the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act to require local educational agencies participating in the school lunch or breakfast programs to include in their school wellness policies the requirement that each student receive 50 hours of nutrition education each school year.

Healthy Lifestyles and Prevention (HeLP) America Act of 2011

S. 176
Introduced January 25, 2011
Sponsor: Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA)

Aims to improve the health of Americans and reduce health care costs by reorienting the nation's health care system toward prevention, wellness, and health promotion. Title 1 focuses on "healthier kids and schools."

  • Provides resources to improve the health of Americans and reduce health care costs by reorienting the Nation's health care system toward prevention, wellness, and health promotion. Title 1 focuses on "healthier kids and schools."
  • Expands eligibility for gardening pilot program in high-poverty schools.
  • Makes fresh fruit and vegetables available in school lunches for students on free or reduced meals.
  • Adds a section to the Public Health Service Act to provide community sports programs for individuals with disabilities, allowing for equal opportunities.

Safety

Protecting Student Athletes from Concussion Act of 2011

H.R. 469
Sponsor: Rep. Tim Bishop (D-NY)
Introduced: January 26, 2011

Requires state educational agencies, in order to be eligible to receive funds under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 in Fiscal Year 2013 or subsequent fiscal years, to issue regulations establishing minimum requirements for the prevention and treatment of concussions as laid out in the bill.

Child Protection Improvement Act of 2011

H.R. 1360 and S. 645
Sponsors: Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) and Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY)
Introduced: April 4, 2011

Adds a new section to the 1993 National Child Protection Act: Program for National Criminal History Checks for Child-Serving Organizations.

  • Amends the National Child Protection Act of 1993: Program for National Criminal History Checks for Child-Serving Organizations to direct the Attorney General to:

    • establish policies and procedures for a program for national criminal history background checks for child-serving organizations,
    • assist such organizations in obtaining access to nationwide background checks,
    • establish procedures for ensuring the accuracy of criminal history records,
    • identify individuals convicted of serious misdemeanors or felonies involving children, and
    • collect demographic data relating to individuals and organizations covered by this Act and make reports to Congress on such data.
  • Limits the liability of a child-serving organization for failure to conduct criminal background checks or to take adverse action against employees with a criminal history. Imposes limitations on the disclosure or use of criminal history records.
  • Amends the PROTECT Act to extend the Child Safety Pilot Program.

Safe Routes to School Program Reauthorization Act

S. 800
Sponsor: Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA)
Introduced: April 12, 2011

Amends the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act to reauthorize and improve the safe routes to school program.

  • Allots $183,000,000 for the SRTS program each year (2012-2016).
  • Enables and makes safe transportation to school on foot or bicycle.
  • Construct bike lanes and repairs sidewalks to make transportation to school more appealing, through funds allotted to states
  • Researches and evaluates the outcomes in health, safety, the environment, academic achievement and student behavior.

Successful, Safe, and Healthy Students Act of 2011

S. 919
Sponsor: Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA)
Introduced: May 9, 2011

Authorizes state grant programs to ensure successful, safe, and healthy students in order to foster positive learning environments and improve academic achievement.

  • Promotes student physical health (fitness, nutrition).
  • Promotes student mental health.
  • Prevents risky behaviors such as violence and substance abuse.
  • Promotes safe and supportive schools.