This report summarizes legislation currently pending before state legislatures that could affect or is of interest to staff members of intercollegiate athletics programs and student-athletes. Set forth below is a list of six bills from six states. The report includes two bills that recently have been introduced and four pending bills where legislative action has occurred since the publication of the June 5, 2000, NCAA News. Newly introduced bills are marked with an asterisk (*).

The State Legislation Report is based largely on data provided by the Information for Public Affairs online state legislation system as of June 21, 2000. 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 online 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 below address the following subjects:

Subject Number of Bills

Athlete agents 1

Athletics facilities 1

Athletic trainers .2

Gambling 1

Gender equity 1

Four bills have become law since the last report. In Connecticut, legislation was enacted that provides for new changes to the existing law regulating athletic trainers. In Florida, additional provisions were added to the existing athlete-agent law. In Illinois, the governor signed legislation that removes the provision repealing the use of tuition waivers to attain gender equity in intercollegiate athletics. In South Carolina, a bill was approved that provides bond funding for Winthrop University and The Citadel to acquire, construct, renovate, and equip certain athletics facilities.

Connecticut H 5794 (Author: Committee on Public Health)

Athletic trainers. Provides for new changes to the law regulating athletic trainers. Requires the Department of Health to license athletic trainers and physical-therapy assistants. Establishes requirements for obtaining a license to practice athletic training. Limits athletic trainers to working only with athletes who suffer injuries while exercising or participating in sports or recreational activities, unless a licensed health-care provider has referred a person and the trainer works within the scope of the referral. Establishes two classes of athletic trainers, those who practice under a physician's standing orders and those who do not. Allows an athletic trainer practicing under a physician's standing orders to treat an injured athlete for up to four days. However, if the symptoms do not improve, the trainer must refer the athlete to a health-care provider. Exempts certain persons, including student interns, from holding a license while practicing or pursuing a course of study in athletic training. Authorizes the Commissioner of Public Health to adopt regulations, if necessary, for the act.

Status: 2/29/2000 introduced. 4/28/2000 passed as amended by House. 5/3/2000 passed Senate. 6/1/2000 signed by governor.

*Florida S. 1016 (Author: Sebesta)

Athlete agents. Increases the penalty to a second-degree felony for a person who offers anything of value to another in order to induce a student-athlete to enter into an athlete-agent representation agreement. Prohibits a person, who was guilty or convicted of providing something of value to another in order to induce an athlete-agent representation agreement, from employing or collaborating with a licensed or unlicensed athlete agent in Florida to illegally recruit student-athletes. Enables a college or university to recover treble damages under a civil action suit against a violator of the Florida athlete-agent law.

Status: 1/20/2000 introduced. 5/2/2000 passed as amended by Senate. 5/3/2000 passed House. 6/23/2000 signed by governor.

Illinois S 1589 (Author: Karpiel)

Gender equity. Removes the provision repealing the use of tuition waivers to attain gender equity in intercollegiate athletics by December 31, 2000. Changes the date when the board must submit the gender-equity plans of public institutions of higher education to the governor and the state legislature.

Status: 2/1/2000 introduced. 2/24/2000 passed Senate. 3/30/2000 passed House. 6/9/2000 signed by governor.

*New Jersey S 1324 (Author: Sinagra)

Athletic trainers. Amends the "Athletic Training Practice Act" to replace the former registration provisions of the act with new licensing provisions. Allows athletic trainers who become licensed under the bill's provisions to use the title "licensed athletic trainer." Requires all applicants for licensure to successfully complete an examination administered by the National Athletic Trainers' Association Board of Certification or a substantially equivalent examination approved by the board. Permits any person currently registered as an athletic trainer to become licensed without satisfying the bill's examination requirements.

Status: 5/22/2000 introduced. Referred to Senate Committee on Education.

South Carolina S 975 (Authors: Short)

Athletics facilities. Provides bond funding for Winthrop University and The Citadel to acquire, construct, renovate, and equip certain athletics facilities. Secures debt by a pledge of the revenues derived from each university's athletics department and certain admissions and special fees charged to students.

Status: 1/11/2000 introduced. 3/29/2000 passed Senate. 5/24/2000 passed House. 6/1/2000 signed by governor.

Tennessee S 2287 (Authors: Kurita)

Internet gambling. Amends the state code to make gambling by means of the Internet a Class B misdemeanor. Prohibits a person from designing, developing, managing, supervising, establishing, producing or operating an Internet site that permits gambling and imposes criminal Class E felony penalties. Provides for a fine of not more than $20,000 for each offense.

Status: 1/20/2000 introduced. 6/9/2000 passed Senate. To House.