The Division I Amateurism Cabinet is sponsoring legislation to amend amateurism rules for prospects who participate on a team with a teammate who receives more than actual and necessary expenses.

The legislation also would require most student-athletes to enroll in an NCAA institution within a year of high school graduation without being subject to seasons-of-withholding conditions.

The rule targets what some have called “vicarious” or “collective” professionalism, a circumstance that renders prospects who participate on a team with a professional athlete a professional themselves, even if the prospect is not paid more than actual and necessary expenses for his or her services. Division II has dealt with similar issues because of its organized-competition rule.

The cabinet considered feedback from a number of coaches associations, most of which were supportive or indicated the change would not affect their sport. The cabinet sympathized with the prospects and coaches who have recruited prospects who are affected by the rule, and cabinet members want to hear membership comment on the proposed legislation.

Chair Mike Rogers, a law professor at Baylor, said he considers the rule unfair. He pointed out that legally, people are rarely liable for others’ actions. Relaxing the restrictions would also fit with the Association’s movement toward a student-athlete well-being focus, he said.

The NCAA Eligibility Center also supported the legislation because it would simplify the rules and focus the analysis on the individual recruit and not teammates.

The proposal also would give prospects a “grace period” to participate in organized competition without being subject to withholdings. If the prospect does not enroll and participates in organized athletics activities after that grace period ends, he or she would be required to sit out of competition for a year for an “academic year in residence.” At the request of the tennis community, the period was designated as six months.

If adopted, the legislation will be effective August 1, 2010.