Congress funds youth sports access and abuse prevention for underserved kids
H.R. 9839 — STRONG Kids Act · Filed by Mike Carey (R-OH) · 1 cosponsor · Introduced Jul 22, 2026 · Referred to committee
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What it does
This bill directs the Department of Health and Human Services to establish a competitive grant program that funds national and regional nonprofits and government organizations running youth sports programs. Those grantees then distribute subgrants to local nonprofits and government organizations to improve youth sports access, safety, and health outcomes—including funding for coach training, abuse prevention, accessibility modifications, fee waivers, and programs for underserved youth. Funding is tied to a percentage of IRS penalties collected in 2025, adjusted for inflation through 2037.
Why we flagged it
The bill's core mechanism is a two-tier grant program designed to expand youth sports participation, improve safety standards, and increase access for underserved populations. It is a straightforward public-health and youth-development initiative with no hidden commercial or private-sector carve-outs.
What the text implies
- Funding is contingent on IRS penalty collections from 2025, creating uncertainty if collections fall short; no baseline appropriation backstop is specified.
- The bill requires grantees to follow either the HHS National Youth Sports Strategy OR 'other guidance issued by a governing body of a youth sports league,' potentially allowing private sports organizations to override federal safety standards.
The full analysis lists 4 implications of this text.
Who stands to gain
National and regional nonprofits operating youth sports programs; Local nonprofits and government organizations providing youth sports; Adaptive sports programming providers