USA Hockey Safe Sport Update

December 31, 2024

Dear USA Hockey members and parents,

We write to tell you about updates to USA Hockey’s Safe Sport Program which take effect December 31, 2024. Please take the time to review the information below. We thank you in advance for your time and for your support and dedication to the safety of participants in USA Hockey programs.

Along with all national governing bodies recognized by the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee for their particular sport, USA Hockey is subject to the jurisdiction of the U.S. Center for SafeSport (the “Center”) to help create a safer environment for athletes to thrive. The Center regulations are set forth in the SafeSport Code for the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Movement (the “SafeSport Code”) and the Minor Athlete Abuse Prevention Policies (the “MAAPP”). The SafeSport Code primarily covers prohibited conduct and the Center’s response and resolution process, while the MAAPP is aimed at training requirements and preventive policies around locker rooms, travel, electronic communications, and other areas where prohibited one-on-one interactions may occur. USA Hockey is required to adopt policies consistent with the SafeSport Code and MAAPP and has incorporated the applicable provisions into the USA Hockey Safe Sport Program Handbook.

MAAPP Policies

The policies in the MAAPP are set forth in USA Hockey’s Safe Sport Program Handbook. USA Hockey updated its Safe Sport Program Handbook, a copy of which is available online at Safe_Sport_Handbook_12-31-2024.pdf. Of particular note are several updates to the USA Hockey Billeting Policy, including new requirements for SafeSport Training for the billeted player and player’s family (the player completes the course titled “SafeSport for Youth Athletes (Ages 13-17)” and the parents must complete the course titled “Parent’s Guide to Misconduct in Sports”) and an emphasis on the limitation of one-on-one interactions between host Adults and billeted Minor Athletes. USA Hockey’s website contains additional materials and resources regarding its Safe Sport Program. All USA Hockey member programs are required to comply with the USA Hockey Safe Sport Handbook, including implementation of the requirements of the MAAPP.

How to Report

USA Hockey’s Reporting Policy is a vital part of its Safe Sport Program, and an effective reporting policy is crucial to preventing abuse. Section IV of the Safe Sport Handbook contains specifics on the Reporting Policy – for more information on making a report, please also see: www.usahockey.com/makingareport .

The Center has exclusive jurisdiction to investigate and resolve allegations of sexual misconduct within USA Hockey programs. The Center also has the discretion to accept jurisdiction over other types of misconduct, but for the most part allegations of other types of misconduct, including emotional or physical abuse, bullying, hazing, threats or harassment, or violations of the MAAPP, are investigated and resolved by USA Hockey through its regional Affiliates or local member programs.

Reports to U.S. Center for SafeSport

If an Adult Participant reasonably suspects that an incident(s) of Child Abuse or Sexual Misconduct has occurred, they must immediately report the incident(s) to the Center as well as applicable law enforcement authorities. Reports to the Center may be made by (1) completing an online report to the Center at www.uscenterforsafesport.org/report-a-concern/ or by (2) calling 833-587-7233.

Reports to USA Hockey

Reports of any allegation of misconduct or other inappropriate behavior that may violate Safe Sport Policies other than Sexual Misconduct or Child Abuse, should be made immediately to USA Hockey or the applicable Affiliate Safe Sport Coordinator, or may also be made to the Center. Reports to USA Hockey may be made by: (1) clicking on the “Report to USA Hockey” link on the USA Hockey Safe Sport Program webpage (www.usahockey.com/makingareport ), (2) emailing to usahockeysafesport@usahockey.org, or (3) calling 800-888-4656. The USA Hockey Safe Sport Program webpage contains contact information for each Affiliate Safe Sport Coordinator.

We thank you again for all of your efforts to support the safety of participants in USA Hockey programs.

Sincerely,

Casey Jorgensen

General Counsel