SF 2748

Introduction - 94th Legislature (2025 - 2026)

Posted on 03/21/2025 09:56 a.m.

A bill for an act
relating to children, youth, and families; establishing an African Youth Soccer
League; requiring reports; appropriating money.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1. new text begin AFRICAN YOUTH SOCCER LEAGUE.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Establishment. new text end

new text begin The commissioner of children, youth, and families must
establish an African Youth Soccer League to ensure access to resources, facilities, and
development programs for young soccer players of African descent.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Local partnerships. new text end

new text begin The commissioner must partner with local schools,
community centers, cities, and semiprofessional and professional soccer clubs to provide
access to high-quality training facilities and soccer fields for practices and games.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Coaching licenses. new text end

new text begin The commissioner must provide an opportunity and funding
for coaches within the African Youth Soccer League to obtain coaching licenses through
the United States Soccer Federation.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Mental health. new text end

new text begin The commissioner of children, youth, and families, in
collaboration with the commissioner of human services, must provide access to mental
health services for youth soccer players within the African Youth Soccer League.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Annual showcase. new text end

new text begin (a) Each summer, the commissioner must host an annual
showcase tournament for the African Youth Soccer League.
new text end

new text begin (b) The commissioner must invite talent scouts or coaches from all of Minnesota's
professional and college soccer teams, regardless of division level. The commissioner may
invite talent scouts or coaches from additional professional and college teams.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 6. new text end

new text begin Report. new text end

new text begin The commissioner must submit an annual report to the chairs and
ranking minority members of the legislative committees with jurisdiction over children,
youth, and families that provides the following details about the African Youth Soccer
League:
new text end

new text begin (1) participation rates;
new text end

new text begin (2) financial expenditures and funding allocations;
new text end

new text begin (3) success stories, including scholarships awarded and players advancing to higher
levels of competition; and
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new text begin (4) the impact of soccer on mental health and overall community engagement.
new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin DIRECTION TO THE COMMISSIONER OF CHILDREN, YOUTH, AND
FAMILIES; AFRICAN YOUTH SOCCER LEAGUE DEVELOPMENT.
new text end

new text begin (a) The commissioner of children, youth, and families must develop a grant program
that provides financial assistance for community-based soccer teams within the African
Youth Soccer League to acquire uniforms, soccer balls, and other necessary equipment.
new text end

new text begin (b) The commissioner must develop a mentorship program that would pair youth soccer
players from the African Youth Soccer League with professional and semiprofessional
soccer players.
new text end

new text begin (c) The commissioner must develop a grant program that provides grants to youth soccer
players within the African Youth Soccer League to help the players access higher education
and professional development programs.
new text end

new text begin (d) The commissioner, in collaboration with the commissioner of public safety, must
develop programs that engage at-risk youth in soccer activities within the African Youth
Soccer League.
new text end

new text begin (e) The commissioner must communicate with the Fédération Internationale de Football
Association, the United States Soccer Federation, and international soccer organizations,
including but not limited to the Premier League and Bundesliga, to develop further
opportunities for youth soccer participation and global exposure of the African Youth Soccer
League.
new text end

Sec. 3. new text begin APPROPRIATION; AFRICAN YOUTH SOCCER LEAGUE.
new text end

new text begin $3,700,000 in fiscal year 2026 and $3,700,000 in fiscal year 2027 are appropriated from
the general fund to the commissioner of children, youth, and families to establish and oversee
the African Youth Soccer League.
new text end