NY coaches now required to report child abuse

PHOTOGRAPHER: The Associated Press

School sports coaches will be legally required to report suspected child abuse to authorities under a new state law in New York.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed into law legislation that adds school coaches to the list of professions including physicians, social workers and daycare providers who are required to contact authorities when they believe a child is being abused.

The list also includes teachers, but it hadn’t been clear if the same rules applied to sports coaches paid by a school district.

Coaches will also be required to undergo training on how to recognize the signs of abuse.

Assemblywoman Amy Paulin, the bill’s sponsor, says Wednesday coaches are often in a “unique” position of trust with students and requiring them to report suspected abuse will protect children.