Do We Really Need Legislators Involved in Youth Sports?

No. We don't. But the RI Senate is gonna try (S0169) (h/t Dan Yorke):

41-12-1. Legislative findings. – The Rhode Island general assembly finds that parents lack a proper outlet to share concerns and objections about youth sports. The general assembly further finds that there is a need for increased transparency and direction within youth sports programs in the state of Rhode Island. Therefore, the general assembly finds that a youth sports oversight council is necessary to increase access and improve quality of youth sports programs in the state of Rhode Island.

Stop right there. To my knowledge, every local sports league in this state is subject to the rules and regs of a Statewide body. That's where complaints should go. Not to the freaking General Assembly!

41-12-2. Composition of council. – There shall be a youth sports oversight council consisting of seven (7) members. The governor shall appoint members with the advice and consent of the senate. The governor shall give due consideration to appointing members with the following qualifications: one member shall be from northern Rhode Island; one member shall be from South County; one member shall be from the East Bay; one member shall be from Providence. Members of the council shall receive no compensation for their participation. The council shall elect from among the members a chairperson, vice chairperson and any other officers it deems necessary.

Trouble here...way too broad there guys. The only way to do it right is to have 37, one from each town (HA!).

41-12-3. Powers and duties of council. – (a) It shall be the duty of the council to provide oversight and mediation to any youth sports organization in the state of Rhode Island. If any person has a complaint with the actions of coaches, players, parents or officials during any youth sporting event at any town or state field or facility, the person shall file a complaint with the council.

Obviously, these guys have never actually run a sports a league.

(b) The council shall develop and adopt the process that shall be used to review and address complaints. The council shall develop any forms it deems necessary to fulfill it duties. (c) The council shall meet on a quarterly basis, or upon the request of the chair if a meeting is required sooner.

Heads-up, 4 times a year ain't enough.

(d) The council shall have the authority to establish and collect fines based on the adopted review process. Said fines shall support the administrative costs of the council.

That's nice, let's make money out of this. Look, there is no possible way any such commission can do an adequate job. It is hard enough for the wide-variety of all-volunteer youth sports leagues in this state to deal with the inevitable parental personality clashes--and they're close to the situation and usually know the "personalities" involved. A big, bad "impartial" Commission simply won't get it. This is a complete waste of time for the General Assembly. Don't they have better things to do?