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Congressman Bob Latta (R-Bowling Green) joined his colleagues in passing legislation, S. 534, that would mandate the reporting of child and sexual abuse in amateur athletics organizations, strengthen civil remedies for survivors of sexual abuse, and clarify the duties of national athletic bodies when presented with child abuse allegations. The legislation, the Protecting Young Victims from Sexual Abuse and Safe Sports Authorization Act, would require reporting of suspected child and sexual abuse at an amateur sports organization facility or at an event sanctioned by one of the governing bodies to local and federal authorities within 24 hours. The bill would make the changes to the Amateur Sports Act, which charters the United States Olympic Committee (USCO) and subsequent national governing bodies for each olympic sport.

As the Chairman of the Energy and Commerce (E&C) Subcommittee on Digital Commerce and Consumer Protection, Latta joined other E&C leaders last week in requesting information on abuse from USA Gymnastics, the United States Olympic Committee, Michigan State University, USA Swimming, and USA Taekwondo, and the bipartisan leaders have indicated that they will investigate the matter.

“It’s absolutely horrifying what countless athletes within the USA gymnastics program were subjected to over the previous two decades,” said Latta. “It’s a completely unacceptable institutional breakdown that allowed Dr. Nassar to abuse athletes entrusted in his care for so long. Passing this legislation takes an important first step to protecting athletes by mandating the reporting of sexual abuse in amateur athletics organizations and strengthening civil remedies for survivors. At the same time, we need to take a deep look at the failures within USA gymnastics — and other athletic entities — that have allowed widespread abuse to occur on their watch.”  

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