Sec.10-145d-423. Coaching permits

(a) Between August 1, 1998 and June 30, 1999, a coach (regardless of coaching assignment) of intramural or interscholastic athletics in elementary, middle school and high schools, shall meet the requirements in subdivisions (1) through (4) inclusive, of this section:

(1) When required.

(A) Either a coaching permit or a temporary emergency coaching permit, a valid certificate issued by the Board, a standard or permanent certificate which has not been converted to a professional educator certificate or a certificate of eligibility is required for a coach of intramural or interscholastic athletics in kindergarten through grade 12, inclusive.

(B) A person serving as a director of athletics at the elementary, middle or high school level, not responsible for supervision, shall be required to hold a coaching permit;

(C) A person serving as a director of athletics at the elementary, middle or high school level, responsible for the supervision of coaches, shall be required to hold a valid Connecticut educator certificate;

(D) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (q) of Section 10-145d-610, a person serving as a director of athletics, with district-wide responsibilities for the athletic program or evaluation of certified staff, shall be required to hold a Connecticut educator certificate endorsed for intermediate administration or supervision.

(E) A person assisting a coach shall not be required to hold a coaching permit or temporary emergency coaching permit, valid certificate or standard or permanent certificate which has not been converted to a professional educator certificate or a certificate of eligibility, so long as he or she works directly with an individual possessing a coaching permit or a temporary emergency coaching permit, a certified professional employee or a person holding a standard or permanent certificate which has not been converted to a professional educator certificate or a certificate of eligibility.

(2) Coaches covered by valid certificates issued by the Board.

A person possessing a valid certificate issued by the Board, or a standard or permanent certificate shall have successfully completed a standard first aid course no earlier than three years prior to the date of application and every three years from the date of the course thereafter, and continuously maintains CPR certification.

(3) Validity of permit.

Any coaching permit issued prior to July 1, 1999, shall expire on June 30, 1999.

Upon receipt of a proper application, the permit shall be reissued consistent with the requirements of this section. A coaching permit shall be valid from the effective date of issuance and shall be renewable every five years upon receipt of a proper application and completion of not less than 15 clock hours of seminars, course work or workshops which provide information on safe and healthful coaching practices and understanding child and adolescent development, as approved by the Department. Upon the written request of an employing agent the Department, for good cause shown, may defer the 15 clock hour requirement for 12 months.

(4) Coaching permit requirements.

To receive a coaching permit an applicant shall submit an application on forms provided by the Department giving evidence that he or she has met the following requirements:

(A) Attained the age of 18 years;

(B) Holds a high school diploma or its equivalent;

(C) Successfully completed, a standard first aid course no earlier than three years prior to the date of application and every three years from the date of the course thereafter, and continuously maintain CPR certification; and

(D) Holds a valid educator certificate issued by the board, a standard or permanent certificate or a certificate of eligibility or successfully completed a minimum of three semester hours of credit from an approved institution; or 45 clock hours of instruction in a program offered by a local or regional board of education or a regional educational service center or the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference and approved by the Department; or a combination thereof that shall include each of the following topics:

(i) Legal and safety aspects of coaching adolescents;

(ii) Medical aspects of coaching adolescents; and

(iii) Principles and practices of coaching adolescents and adolescent sports psychology.

(b) On and after July 1, 1999, a coach (regardless of coaching assignment) of intramural or interscholastic athletics in elementary, middle or high schools, shall meet the requirements of subdivisions (1) through (7), inclusive, of this section:

(1) Hold the following permit:

(a) A coaching permit; or

(b) A temporary coaching permit.

(2) A person serving as a director of athletics at the elementary or secondary school level, not responsible for supervision, shall be required to hold a coaching permit;

(3) A person serving as a director of athletics at the elementary or secondary school level, responsible for the supervision of coaches, shall be required to hold a coaching permit and a valid Connecticut educators certificate;

(4) A person serving as a director of athletics, with district-wide responsibilities for the athletic program or evaluation of certified staff, shall be required to hold a coaching permit and a Connecticut educator certificate endorsed for intermediate administration or supervision;

(5) An individual who serves as a coach shall hold a coaching permit or a temporary coaching permit. An individual, not serving as any type of coach, may assist a coach, if working under the direct and continual supervision of a coach;

(6) A coaching permit shall be valid from the effective date and shall be renewable every five years upon completion of not less than 15 clock hours of seminars, course work or workshops which provide information on safe and healthful coaching practices and understanding child and adolescent development, as approved by the Department. Upon the written request of an employing agent, the Department, for good cause shown, may defer the 15 clock hour requirement for 12 months;

(7) To receive a coaching permit, an applicant shall meet the following requirements:

(A) Attain the age of 18 years;

(B) Hold a high school diploma or its equivalent;

(C) Successfully complete a standard first aid course no earlier than three years prior to the date of application and every three years from the date of the course thereafter, and continuously maintain CPR certification; and

(D) Complete either (i) or (ii):

(i) Complete a minimum of three semester hours of credit from a regionally accredited institution or 45 clock hours of instruction in a program offered by a board of education or the Connecticut interscholastic athletic conference and approved by the Department which shall include each of the following topics: legal and safety aspects of coaching children and adolescents; medical aspects of coaching children and adolescents; and principles and practices of coaching children and adolescents and child and adolescent sports psychology; or

(ii) Hold a valid Connecticut educator certificate, standard or permanent certificate.

(Effective July 1, 1995; Amended August 6, 1998)