USA HOCKEY LOCAL ASSOCIATION AGREEMENT TO ADOPT AND COMPLY WITH SAFE SPORT PROGRAM

This Agreement, {date will be inserted from below}

 {localAssociation will be inserted from below} a hockey program that is a member of Wisconsin Amateur Hockey Association ("Affiliate") as a condition of being sanctioned by USA Hockey. Local Association agrees that its membership in the Affiliate and sanctioning by USA Hockey are conditioned on the following:

1. Compliance with Safe Sport Program. Local Association is required to implement, comply. and monitor compliance with the USA Hockey Safe Sport Program Handbook and the Safe Sport Code for the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Movement as adopted by the U.S. Center for Safe Sport, and the requirements set forth in the Protecting Young Victims from Sexual Abuse and Safe Sport Authorization Act of 2017. Copies of the USA Hockey Safe Sport Program Handbook may be found at www.usahockey.com/SafeSportprogram and copies of the Safe Sport Code for the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Movement may be found at www.Safe Sport.org.

2. Safe Sport Training and Background Checks. Local Association agrees that it shall require and cause all of those persons that (i) have regular contact with or supervision over minor Participants (e.g., coaches, hockey directors, trainers, team managers. chaperones, etc (ii) are responsible for enforcing child abuse and misconduct policies (e.g., all officers and members of the board of directors), (iii) are adults authorized by the Local Association to have regular contact with or authority over minor Participants, including all persons that are in managerial or supervisory roles of the Local Association (including owners and administrators of Local Association), and (iv) are new and current employees and/or volunteers of Local Association, to:

(a) consent to be screened and pass a background screen in accordance with USA Hockey's background screening program; and (b) complete Safe Sport Training prior to having regular contact with minor participants, or if they do not have regular contact with minor participants, not more than 45 days after beginning such role.

3. Adoption of Required Policies. Local Association shall adopt. comply with and maintain rules and policies requiring its members to comply with the One-on-One Interactions, Locker Room, Athletic Training Modalities, Social Media and Electronic Communications and Travel Policies as set forth in the USA Hockey Safe Sport Handbook.

4. Required Reporting. Local Association agrees that it shall adopt, maintain and enforce policies that require its adult members report (i) actual or perceived violations of the USA Hockey Safe Sport Program Handbook, (ii) any violations of the Sexual Misconduct, Physical Misconduct, Emotional Misconduct, Bullying, Threats or Harassment, or Hazing Policies, and (iii) suspicions or allegations of child physical or sexual abuse as required by the

USA Hockey Safe Sport Program. Local Association agrees that, should it become aware of any such violation(s), it will report as required by the USA Hockey Safe Sport Program. The USA Hockey reporting policy specifically provides that, pursuant to federal law, any adult authorized by a Local Association to interact with a minor or amateur athlete at an event sanctioned USA Hockey or a Local Association is considered a mandatory reporter, and if any such person learns of facts that give reason to suspect that a child has suffered an incident of Child Abuse, including sexual abuse, he/she shall as soon as possible make a report of the suspected abuse to the U.S. Center for Safe Sport and to applicable law enforcement authorities. Local Association and its adult members/representatives shall not attempt to evaluate the credibility or validity of child physical or sexual abuse allegations as a condition for or prior to reporting their concerns

5. No Retaliation. Local Association will not encourage, allow or tolerate attempts from any individual, group or organization to retaliate, punish, or in any way harm any individual(s) who reports a concern in good faith or otherwise participates in an investigation (e.g., a witness Such actions will be considered a violation of the USA Hockey Safe Sport Program and grounds for disciplinary action, and may also be subject to civil or criminal proceedings.

6. Local Association Reporting to Affiliate. Local Associations shall on a monthly basis provide the Affiliate Safe Sport Coordinator with notice of any alleged violations of Safe Sport policies, and shall promptly advise the Affiliate Safe Sport Coordinator of the results of any investigations, hearings or other proceedings within their program that involve allegations or violations of the USA Hockey Safe Sport Policies or this Safe Sport Handbook.

7. Submission to Jurisdiction of the U.S. Center for Safe Sport and Enforcement of Sanctions or Discipline. Local Association agrees that it shall not engage in its own investigation or disciplinary process related to any allegations or reports that are within the exclusive jurisdiction of the U.S. Center for Safe Sport unless and until such time as the U.S. Center for Safe Sport has declined jurisdiction. Upon the issuance by the Center for Safe Sport. USA Hockey or Affiliate, of any disciplinary measures, eligibility decisions or other sanctions, Local Association agrees to enforce such suspension, measures or other sanction within its program.

8. Compliance Certification. Local Association shall at least annually, or more often if required by the Affiliate, report and provide information as required or requested to the Affiliate and/or Affiliate Safe Sport Coordinator on the Local Association's compliance with the USA Hockey Safe Sport Program. Local Association agrees that its compliance with the terms of the requirements herein shall be subject to review by the Affiliate and/or USA Hockey. The terms of this Agreement shall be an ongoing obligation of the Local Association and, unless Affiliate or USA Hockey require that this Agreement be re-executed, expressly renewed or modified. shall automatically be renewed annually unless Affiliate or Local Association provide advance written notice of its termination effective as of the following 31st of August.

On behalf of the Local Association, the undersigned certifies that I am authorized by the Local Association to agree to the terms above and to submit this Local Association Agreement to Affiliate and USA Hockey as a condition of sanctioning by USA Hockey and membership in the Affiliate.

Acknowledged and Received by Wisconsin Amateur Hockey Association ("Affiliate")

LOCAL ASSOCIATIONS NOTE: For your association records, a completed and signed document will be returned by the WAHA Secretary John Hack - Wisconsin Amateur Hockey Assn. P.O. Box 348 Solon Springs, WI 54873 

Or sent electronically by john.hack1967@gmail.com