The proposed bill would significantly update current statutes concerning student athletes' rights to earn compensation from their name, image, and likeness (NIL). It introduces
new provisions allowing postsecondary education institutions to compensate student athletes for their NIL, while explicitly prohibiting the use of student fees for such compensation. The bill also removes the previous limitation that tied compensation to the rules of relevant national associations and prohibits institutions from limiting student athletes' participation in athletics or earning scholarships based on their involvement in specified activities. Additionally, it expands prohibitions on regulators from interfering with authorized activities and outlines specific legal actions that can be pursued in court.
Moreover, the bill establishes legal remedies for violations, allowing both student athletes and institutions to seek injunctive relief, and grants regulators the authority to refrain from penalizing institutions or athletes for engaging in authorized NIL activities. It clarifies that student athletes cannot be classified as employees solely based on NIL compensation and determines that records related to NIL contracts are confidential. The legislation also requires institutions to notify student athletes in writing of any violations and exempts employees from liability regarding a student athlete's inability to earn compensation due to routine decisions in intercollegiate athletics. Overall, the bill aims to enhance the rights of student athletes while ensuring compliance and protection for educational institutions involved in intercollegiate athletics.Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 15-1892
Senate Engrossed Version: 13-3302, 15-1892, 13-3301, 15-1762
House Engrossed Version: 13-3302, 15-1892, 13-3301, 15-1762
Chaptered Version: 13-3302, 15-1892, 13-3301, 15-1762