USA Hockey will only authorize/sanction leagues with affiliate teams that adopt the following policies related to volunteer and staff screening and related to abuse and harrassment. Persons who refuse consent to be screened by USA Hockey before he/she is allowed to have routine access to children in USA Hockey’s programs are not eligible to have contact with minors/players. All USAH teams must adopt this policy as a condition of its affiliation.
A person may be disqualified and prohibited from serving as an employee or volunteer of USA Hockey (includes billet house parent) if the person has:
1) Been convicted (including crimes the record of which has been expunged and pleas of “no contest”) of a crime of child abuse, sexual abuse of a minor, physical abuse, causing a child’s death, neglect of a child, murder, manslaughter, felony assault, any assault against a minor, kidnapping, arson, criminal sexual conduct, prostitution- related crimes or controlled substance crimes;
2) Been adjudged liable for civil penalties or damages involving sexual or physical abuse of children;
3) Been subject to any court order involving any sexual abuse or physical abuse of a minor, including but not limited to domestic order for protection;
4) Had their parental rights terminated;
5) A history with another organization (volunteer, employment, etc.) of complaints of sexual or physical abuse of minors;
6) Resigned, been terminated or been asked to resign from a position, whether paid or unpaid, due to complaint(s) of sexual or physical abuse of minors; or
7) Has a history of other behavior that indicates they may be a danger to children in USA Hockey.
USA HOCKEY SEXUAL ABUSE POLICY
It is the policy of USA Hockey that there shall be no sexual abuse of any minor participant involved in any of its sanctioned programs, by an employee, volunteer or independent contractor(USAH adult). Sexual abuse of a minor participant occurs when a USAH adult touches a minor participant for the purpose of causing the sexual arousal or gratification of either the minor participant or the employee, volunteer or independent contractor. Sexual abuse of a minor participant also occurs when a minor player touches a USAH adult for the sexual arousal or sexual gratification of either the minor participant or USAH adult, if the touching occurs at the request or with the consent of USAH adult. Neither consent of the player to the sexual contact, mistake as to the participant’s age, nor the fact that the sexual contact did not take place at a hockey function are defenses to a complaint of sexual abuse. Upon proof of a violation of this policy, the violator will be permanently banned or suspended from USA Hockey sanctioned programs and/or the programs of its Affiliate Associations.
USA HOCKEY PHYSICAL ABUSE POLICY
It is the policy of USA Hockey that there shall be no physical abuse of any participant involved in any of its sanctioned programs, by any employee, volunteer or independent contractor. Physical abuse means physical contact with a participant that intentionally causes the participant to sustain bodily harm or personal injury. Physical abuse also includes physical contact with a participant that intentionally creates a threat of immediate bodily harm or personal injury. Physical abuse does not include physical contact that is reasonably designed to coach, teach or demonstrate a
hockey skill. Permitted physical conduct may include, but is not necessarily limited to, shooting pucks at a goaltender, demonstrating checking and other hockey skills, and communicating with or directing participants during the course of a game or practice, by touching them in a non-threatening, non-sexual manner.
