Immunity From Civil Damage

Immunity From Civil Damage. A person who provides services as an athletic coach, manager or sports official, for the benefit of a non-profit sports organization or non-profit sports activity, and such non-profit sports organization is sanctioned by any government department, agency, or corporation, in the conduct of such sports activity, shall not be civilly liable for damages to an athletic participant, coach, manager or sports official, for acts or omissions which occur during the rendering of said services. Source: PL 6-35, § 3 (§ 2701). Commission Comment: PL 6-35, the “Sports Official Immunity Act of 1989,” took effect August 21, 1989. According to PL 6-35, § 2: Section 2. Findings and Purpose. The Legislature finds that athletic coaches and sports officials in the Northern Mariana Islands frequently work for nominal or no compensation. The service which they render to the people of the Commonwealth are necessary, and contribute materially and substantially to the [p]ublic [h]ealth and welfare. Without some legislatively-conferred immunity from civil liability, athletic coaches and sports officials can be held personally liable for acts arising out of and in the course of rendering such services. Liability insurance is generally not available to athletic coaches and sports officials, or if available, is available only at a prohibitive cost. The possibility of civil liability may deter athletic coaches and sports officials from rendering service and assistance to the people of the Northern Mariana Islands. In return for their services, immunity from civil liability ought therefore to be provided to such persons.