What Every Youth Sports Organization Needs to Know about Florida Statute 943.0438 Before 2026
When parents drop off their children for practice, they are entrusting your organization not only with their development as athletes but also with their safety.
Since 90% of child abuse cases involve someone the child knows and trusts, Florida Statute 943.0438 aims to protect children in youth sports. This law requires all adults involved in youth athletic programs to complete background checks and fingerprinting.
What Is Florida Statute 943.0438?
The goal of the statute is to create spaces for youth athletes, preventing individuals with criminal backgrounds from being placed in positions of trust and authority.
It focuses on background checks for private youth athletic teams that aren’t affiliated with private schools. The law requires organizations to conduct annual Level 2 background screening on all individuals with direct contact with minors, including but not limited to:
- Coaches and assistant coaches
- Referees and umpires
- Team managers
- Volunteers
- Organizations must retain documentation of completed screenings and screening records for at least five years.
What’s a Level 2 Background Check?
A Level 2 background check mandated by the statute is a more comprehensive screening that includes:
- Fingerprinting
- National criminal history check
- Cross-checking with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) criminal history search
To be compliant, organizations will need to apply for the VECHS (Volunteer and Employee Criminal History System) Program to become a qualified entity and obtain criminal history information from FDLE.
Implement A Risk Management Plan Today
Earlier this year, Governor Ron DeSantis signed SB 1546, amending the effective date to July 1, 2026, by when coaches must clear a Level 2 Fingerprint Check prior to serving as a coach.
While 2026 may seem far away, organizations need to begin acting now to implement a risk management plan. The sooner your organizations adopt a comprehensive background screening and fingerprinting process, the better position you will be in to comply with current laws and easily adapt to 2026 changes.
We’re here to help
Compliance with Florida Statute 943.0438 isn’t just about avoiding penalties; it is about doing the right thing. Protect Youth Sports specializes in thorough background checks and guiding organizations like yours with fingerprinting logistics.
We’re here to help you meet Florida’s new standards. Have questions about your organization’s next steps? Reach out today to talk to our team!
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