Vargas Introduces Bill to Encourage Sport Coaches Report Child Abuse

A state legislator who represents Imperial Beach has introduced a bill to toughen mandated child sexual abuse reporting standards for athletic coaches at colleges and universities – whether public or private.

The bill by Sen. Juan Vargas, D-San Diego, would add head coaches, assistant coaches and graduate assistants to the list of jobs in which employees are required to report instances of sexual abuse of children they witness.

Vargas, who announced in November his intention to author such a bill in response to the sex abuse scandal at Penn State University, said “to think that any coach would sacrifice the innocence of a child and turn a blind eye to their suffering and trauma for the sake of their team” was sickening.

“Students look up to their coaches and see them as mentors, parents put their trust in them,” Vargas said. “Our children's well-being and safety far outweigh any athletic program.”

He said that his bill, if passed, would incarcerate coaches “if they choose to look the other way.”

The penalties for failure to report would increase the maximum county jail term from six months to one year and up the fine from $1,000 to $5,000.

Also, the bill would make a felony out of willful failure to report abuse, or inhibiting attempts to report, punishable by up to five years in state prison and a $25,000 fine.

Former is accused of molesting at least 10 boys connected to his charity and is awaiting trial. Two university administrators also face charges in connection with a failure to report the alleged abuse to law enforcement.

The scandal that broke last fall cost head football coach Joe Paterno his job. He died last month of lung cancer at the age of 85.

Until the scandal, both Paterno and the Penn State athletic program were widely regarded as models of virtue in college sports.

Last September, Gov. Jerry Brown signed a bill into law authored by Vargas to combat elder and dependent adult abuse.

Vargas is running in November elections to represent California's 51st Congressional district, which will include Imperial Beach .

City News Service contributed to this report.