MYSA has adopted the following Player Protection Policies:

1. The Member Club shall distribute to all members of the organization copies of the Player/Adult Protection Guidelines.
2. All applicants for positions of coaches, assistant coaches, athletic trainers, team managers/responsible adults, board members, officers, administrators or adult referees shall complete the MYSA background check process each year prior to beginning their work with the organization’s youth.
3. MYSA and its Member Clubs shall not knowingly permit any person convicted of any of the crimes listed below within the last 15 years to become or remain in any position for the organization. MYSA requires annual background checks of its adults having regular contact with players or those that have access to personal information about players. If the MYSA background check reveals convictions of any of these crimes within the past 15 years from the date of application, the person’s application shall be rejected or s/he will be dismissed from any position s/he holds in the organization. Any convictions occurring more than 15 years ago may be considered by the MYSA State Risk Manager in the determining of the applicant’s suitability for the position, but may not automatically disqualify the application.
   
   Convictions of the following or similar crimes mean that an individual will not be allowed to be a coach, trainer, team manager, board member, officer, administrator, referee or volunteer having regular contact with players or personal information about players registered with MYSA or its Member Clubs:
   • Any Assault Against a Minor
   • Controlled Substance Crimes Against a Minor Victim
   • Solicitation of a Minor to Engage in Sexual Conduct
   • Child Pornography
   • Child Abuse
   • Kidnapping
   • Felony Assault
   • Criminal Sexual Conduct
   • Manslaughter
   • Murder
   Convictions of the following or similar crimes mean that an individual may not be allowed to be a coach, trainer, team manager, board member, officer, administrator, referee or volunteer having regular contact with players or personal information about players registered with MYSA or its Member Clubs or that the individual may have conditions placed upon them:
   • Domestic Assault or Abuse
   • Assault<
   • Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor
   • Child Neglect<
   • Malicious Punishment of a Child
   • Felony DUI/DWI
   • Violation of a Restraining Order
   • Harassment
   • Controlled Substance Crimes
   • Embezzlement
   • Felony Theft
   • Indecent Exposure
4. The Member Club shall appoint a local risk manager to act as a liaison between the Member Club and the MYSA State Risk Manager.
5. The Member Club, and/or MYSA, shall discipline persons found to have violated its Risk Management Guidelines and Policies.
6. If appropriate, the MYSA State Risk Manager or MYSA Executive Director shall share information found in performing background checks with the Member Club President and/or Risk Manager. All information provided to the Member Club is to be held in strictest confidentiality.
7. In the event the Member Club receives a complaint of physical or sexual abuse of a player, the Member Club Risk Manager shall report the abuse to the local law enforcement authorities.
8. After a physical or sexual abuse complaint has been formally lodged with the local law enforcement authority, the risk manager shall inform the alleged offender, in writing and by registered mail, that s/he is suspended immediately from all activities within the organization until the complaint is dismissed.
9. If any complaint is filed with MYSA regarding a violation of Player/Adult Protection Guidelines or the organization’s Harassment Policies, other than physical or sexual abuse, the MYSA State Risk Manager shall speak to all parties involved, make a written report of the complaint and his/her findings, and shall make a decision regarding discipline (if appropriate). If either party, the complainant or the accused, wishes to appeal the decision or discipline rendered by the MYSA State Risk Manager, they may do so to the MYSA Appeals Committee.
10. The Appeals Committee shall hear the complaint in person or in writing. After hearing the complaint and any response, and reviewing the report of the MYSA State Risk Manager, the Appeals Committee shall make its findings and determination.
11. The Member Club shall send copies of such reports regarding alleged physical or sexual abuse of a player to the MYSA State Risk Manager. The MYSA State Risk Manager or MYSA Executive Director shall maintain confidential files of all abuse complaints made against persons involved in the organization.