Titles the act as “The Coach Safely Act.” Enacts new Article 18A, The Coach Safely Act for the Protection of Youth Athletes, in GS Chapter 130A, providing as follows. Defines association as an organization that sponsors or conducts high-risk youth athletic activities on property owned, leased, managed, or maintained by the State or any of its political subdivisions; specifies that this includes a city, county, business, or nonprofit organization that organizes community-based youth athletic events on such property. Also defines athletics personnel, coach or coaching staff, Department, and youth athlete. Requires associations to require a person engaged in or serving as part of its athletic or coaching staff to complete a free youth sports injury education course approved by the Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Public Health (Department). Requires the course to be completed within 30 days after first becoming engaged in or serving as part of the athletics personnel or coaching staff, and annually thereafter. Requires the association to maintain records of course completion for as long as the person serves in that capacity. Sets out five categories of health professionals who are exempt from this course requirement.

Requires the Department to approve courses that meet the evidence-based, best practice standards of the National Athletic Training Association, National Council of Youth Sports, or other nationally recognized organization for youth sports injury education that may be used to fulfill the course requirements. Prohibits approving a course that omits seven specified topics, including emergency preparedness and planning, and rehearsal for responding to traumatic injuries sustained during youth athletic activities, heat and extreme weather-related injuries, and heart defects and abnormalities leading to sudden cardiac death.

Protects from liability a person who is actively engaged in or serving as part of the athletics personnel or coaching staff of an association, in any action arising from an injury sustained by a youth athlete due to their participation in a youth athletic activity upon a demonstration that the athletics personnel member or coach: (1) completed the sports injury education course and (2) reasonably conformed their conduct to the safety techniques and methods identified in the course.

Effective October 1, 2025.