AN ACT requiring the department of health and human services, division of family and child well‑being, to establish a youth sports scholarship program to expand youth participation in sports and encourage regular physical activity into adulthood; and appropriating funds for this purpose.

Whereas, childhood sports participation can encourage people to be physically active into adulthood; and

Whereas, childhood sports participation can help reduce obesity, diabetes, and other health‑related problems while also leveling the playing field so that every child has the opportunity to participate in youth sports regardless of their socioeconomic background; and

Whereas, sports participation can strongly impact the lives of youth and communities to help prevent youth violence and reduce recidivism; and

Whereas, juvenile crime rates are consistently reduced in neighborhoods where sports‑based youth development programs enrich the lives of at‑risk youth; Now, therefore,

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

SECTION 1.  There is appropriated from the General Fund to the Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Family and Child Well‑Being, the sum of five million dollars ($5,000,000) in recurring funds to establish and administer a Youth Sports Scholarship Program to provide scholarships to families of low socioeconomic status for the purpose of expanding youth participation in sports and encouraging youth to engage in regular physical activity into adulthood. In administering the scholarship program authorized by this section, the Division of Family and Child Well‑Being is subject to the following requirements and limitations:

(1)        The scholarships shall be made available to families whose total income is at or below two hundred percent (200%) of the current federal poverty level.

(2)        The amount of any scholarship awarded to an eligible family shall not exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000) per household.

(3)        The Division of Family and Child Well‑Being shall develop a process to ensure that scholarship funds are used only for the following purposes:

a.         To purchase sports equipment.

b.         To pay for costs and fees associated with youth participation in sports lessons, camps, leagues, and other sports activities.

c.         To pay for any other related expenses approved by the Division of Family and Child Well‑Being that serve the purpose of expanding youth participation in sports or encouraging youth to engage in regular physical activity.

(4)        The Division of Family and Child Well‑Being may use up to five percent (5%) of the funds appropriated in this section for administrative purposes.

SECTION 2.  This act becomes effective July 1, 2022.