Authorizing the board of educational examiners to issue provisional coaching authorizations

This bill authorizes the board of educational examiners (BOEE) to issue provisional coaching authorizations. The BOEE is required to issue a provisional coaching authorization to an individual who complies with established background check requirements; successfully completes training related to cardiopulmonary resuscitation and how to use an automated external defibrillator; successfully completes the concussion in sports course created by the national federation of state high school associations (NFHS); and who successfully completes child and dependent adult abuse mandatory reporter training. A provisional coaching authorization expires upon the earlier of the end of the sport season for which the individual was issued the authorization or the passage of 180 days from the issuance of the authorization. The bill requires the BOEE to allow an individual holding a provisional coaching authorization to convert the authorization to a coaching authorization if the individual successfully completes the preexisting requirements to obtain a coaching authorization; successfully completes a coaching education course provided by an area education agency; successfully completes the coaching credential stack created by NFHS; successfully completes relevant higher-education coursework; provides the BOEE with evidence of prior coaching experience; or if the individual successfully completes comparable leadership and safety training. Current law authorizes a school district to employ for head coach of any interscholastic athletic activities, or for assistant coach of any interscholastic athletic activity, an individual who possesses a coaching authorization issued by the BOEE or a teaching license with a coaching endorsement. Current law also establishes the order in which school districts are required to consider applicants for such positions, with individuals who possess a valid teaching license with a proper coaching endorsement being considered first, individuals who possess a coaching authorization being considered second, and individuals with a transitional coaching authorization being considered third. The bill provides that individuals who possess a provisional coaching authorization shall be considered fourth. The bill requires area education agencies to develop a coaching education course that can be used by area education agency employees to provide training to individuals who hold a provisional coaching authorization and are trying to convert such authorization to a coaching authorization.