The NCAA News - News and Features

June 30, 1997

State legislation relating to college athletics

This report summarizes legislation currently pending before state legislatures that could affect, or is otherwise of interest to, the intercollegiate athletics programs and student-athletes of NCAA member institutions. Set forth below is a list of six bills from five states. The bills that appear in the report are pending legislation on which action has been taken since the publication of the June 16, 1997, issue of The NCAA News.

The State Legislation Report is based largely on data provided by the Information for Public Affairs on-line state legislation system as of June 16, 1997. The bills selected for inclusion in this report were drawn from a larger pool of measures that concern sports and, therefore, do not necessarily represent all of the bills that would be of interest to individual member institutions. Bills pending before the governing bodies of the District of Columbia and U.S. territories are not available on an on-line basis and are not included in this report.

The NCAA has not independently verified the accuracy or completeness of the data provided by Information for Public Affairs and is providing this summary as a service to its members. For further information regarding a particular bill, members should contact the state legislature concerned.

The bills set forth in this report address the following subjects:

Subject -- Number of Bills

Alcoholic beverages -- 1

Anabolic steroids -- 1

Athlete agents -- 1

Athletic trainers -- 2

Worker compensation benefits -- 1

Four bills have become law since the last report. In California, legislation was passed that allows golf courses (including university-operated courses) to make sales of alcoholic beverages from any golf cart that operates on the golf-course premises. In Connecticut, a bill was enacted that establishes additional requirements for the conduct of athlete agents. In Delaware, the governor signed legislation that changes the definition of "anabolic steroid" to exclude a combination of estrogen with anabolic steroid that is expressly intended for administration to hormone-deficient women. In New Hampshire, a new law was passed that excludes, in certain circumstances, accidental injury, disease or death resulting from participation in athletics activities.

Since the last report, the Nebraska legislature has adjourned for the year. A total of 30 state legislatures have concluded their 1997 legislative session.

California A. 114 (Author: Battin)

Alcoholic beverages. Allows golf-course facilities (holding liquor licenses), including university-operated courses, to make sales of alcoholic beverages from any golf cart that operates on the golf-course premises.

Status: 1/13/97 introduced. 4/17/97 passed as amended by Assembly. 5/27/97 passed Senate. 6/6/97 signed by governor.

Connecticut H. 5127 (Author: Villano)

Athlete agents. Establishes additional requirements for the conduct of athlete agents. Allows athletes to cancel contracts with athlete agents within six business days after the contract date. Requires that interviews between student-athletes and athlete agents be conducted in accordance with any policies adopted by institutions of higher learning in the state. Sets maximum fees that can be charged by athlete agents. Provides limitations on the transfer of interests or rights to participate in profits made by athlete agents.

Status: 1/8/97 introduced. 5/8/97 passed as amended by House. 5/23/97 passed Senate. 6/6/97 signed by governor.

Delaware H. 166 (Author: Oberle)

Anabolic steroids. Changes the definition of "anabolic steroid" to exclude a combination of estrogen with anabolic steroid that is expressly intended for administration to hormone-deficient women.

Status: 4/22/97 introduced. 5/1/97 passed as amended by House. 6/3/97 passed Senate. 6/11/97 signed by governor.

New Hampshire H. 537 (Author: Torr)

Athletic trainers. Replaces the laws governing the practice of athletic training and other allied health professions. Establishes individual licensing boards for each of these areas of practice and creates a board of directors. Provides licensing requirements for athletic trainers.

Status: 1/9/97 introduced. 3/26/97 passed as amended by House. 5/20/97 passed as amended by Senate. 5/28/97 House concurred with Senate amendments.

New Hampshire S. 38 (Author: Francoeur)

Worker compensation. Amends the definition of "injury" or "personal injury" for purposes of worker compensation benefits to exclude accidental injury, disease or death resulting from participation in athletics activities, unless the employee reasonably expected, based on the employer's instruction or policy, that such participation was required for promotion, increased compensation or continued employment.

Status: 1/8/97 introduced. 3/13/97 passed as amended by Senate. 5/7/97 passed as amended by House. 5/15/97 Senate concurred with House amendments. 6/9/97 signed by governor.

Texas H. 2573 (Author: Berlanga)

Athletic trainers. Relates to fees assessed for the regulation of athletic trainers.

Status: 3/11/97 introduced. 4/25/97 passed House. 5/26/97 passed Senate.