Substitute House Bill No. 6446 seeks to amend Connecticut's laws regarding student athlete compensation at higher education institutions. The bill expands the definition of "student athlete" to include individuals who have agreed to attend an institution and participate in intercollegiate athletics. It introduces new terms such as "endorsement contract," which allows student athletes to receive compensation for the use of their name, image, or likeness, and "revenue sharing agreement," which permits them to share in the institution's revenue. Institutions are required to adopt policies governing these agreements, including disclosure requirements and prohibitions against conflicts with existing agreements. However, the bill clarifies that institutions are not obligated to compensate student athletes or enter into revenue sharing agreements.

Furthermore, the bill removes the prohibition on receiving Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) compensation as an inducement for attending or continuing at a higher education institution. It ensures that student athletes can engage in endorsement contracts and revenue sharing agreements, provided they comply with institutional policies. The legislation prohibits the use of state funds for compensating student athletes and mandates annual reporting by public institutions on the total revenue used for such compensation and the number of athletes involved. The bill also protects student athletes from adverse actions based on their agreements and clarifies that scholarships and financial aid do not count as compensation, promoting a more equitable environment in intercollegiate athletics.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill:
HED Joint Favorable Substitute:
File No. 6: