This report highlights state legislation enacted in 2000 and summarizes key provisions of each bill that could affect, or is otherwise of interest to, the intercollegiate athletics programs and student-athletes of NCAA member institutions. The report details 17 bills enacted into law from 13 states. All legislation set forth in this report previously appeared in columns published by The NCAA News during the past year.

This report is based largely on data provided by the Information for Public Affairs online state legislation system as of November 27, 2000. The bills selected for inclusion in this report were drawn from a larger pool of measures and therefore do not necessarily represent all of the bills that would be of interest to individual NCAA 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 supplied by Information of Public Affairs and is providing this report as a service to its members. For further information regarding a particular bill, members should contact the state legislature concerned.

Indices for 2000 enacted state legislation

Subject Number of Bills/Resolutions

Athlete agents 4

Athletics facilities. 1

Athletic trainers. .6

Gambling/sports lottery. 1

Gender equity. 1

High-school extracurricular/home school. 1

Internet gambling 1

Sports officials .1

Tickets. 1

Athlete agents

Alabama SJR 55 (Author: Little)

Commends Auburn University basketball player, Chris Porter, for his admission related to the receipt of money from a representative of a sports agent. Urges the Attorney General, the District Attorney of Lee County, Alabama and the Alabama Athlete-Agent Regulatory Commission to conduct a full investigation into the matter in order to determine whether evidence exists that a sports agent or his representative violated the state's athlete-agent law. Encourages Auburn to continue its investigation and determine whether to file a civil action against the sports agent and/or his representative, pursuant to the state athlete-agent law.

Florida S 1016 (Author: Sebesta)

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.

Georgia H 1323 (Author: Hugley)

Amends existing athlete-agent statute. Provides additional grounds for the Georgia Athlete-Agent Regulatory Commission to discipline or refuse to register an athlete agent. Prohibits contact by an athlete agent with a student-athlete before the completion of the athlete's last intercollegiate contest, unless the student-athlete or his or her parent or guardian initiates the contact. Requires an athlete agent to forward a copy of any written materials sent to a student-athlete to the athletics director at the athlete's institution. Prohibits an athlete agent from offering anything of value to any person to induce an athlete to enter into an agent contract. Provides for the inclusion of language in agent contracts that warns the student-athlete of the loss of athletics eligibility and alerts the student-athlete of his or her right to cancel the contract. Permits the student-athlete's institution to bring a civil action against an athlete agent for recovery of damages, under certain circumstances.

Ohio H 107 (Author Tiberi)

Amends existing law to provide for the registration and further regulation of athlete agents. Creates additional requirements and duties for members of the Ohio Athletic Commission as it relates to athlete agents. Authorizes the commission to administer the provisions governing athlete agents. Provides the commission with the authority to establish continuing-education requirements focusing on ethical conduct for athlete agents. Revises definitions in athlete-agent chapter of the state code. Provides specific guidelines regulating the form and content of the agent contract. Requires athlete agents and athletes to provide written notice to the educational institution after an agent contract is signed. Establishes biennial athlete-agent registration. Requires agents to secure a surety bond, certificate of deposit, or professional malpractice insurance in the amount of $15,000. Sets guidelines related to fees charged by athlete agents. Lists prohibited acts, including limitations on athlete-agent contact with athletes. Provides for a person or an institution of higher education to bring a civil action against an athlete agent who knowingly violates the act.

Athletics facilities

South Carolina S 975 (Author: Short)

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.

Athletic trainers

Arizona S 1202 (Author: Wettaw)

Appropriates $60,000 for the establishment of the Board of Athletic Trainers to oversee, evaluate and license athletic trainers. Requires athletic trainers to work under the direction of a licensed physician. Sets requirements for licensure and the use of professional titles. Lists grounds for disciplinary action and establishes penalties. Provides the public with the right to access information related to an athletic trainer's professional background and practice.

Connecticut H 5794 (Author: Committee on Public Health)

Provides for 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.

Indiana S 401 (Author: Server)

Removes the athletic trainer residency requirement. Exempts certain nonresident athletic trainers from licensure. Provides an exemption for student or intern trainers. Prohibits a person who is not a licensed athletic trainer from practicing athletic training or using certain terms to indicate the person is an athletic trainer. Permits the use of the title "student athletic trainer" by a student enrolled in high school or an institution of higher education while assisting an athletic trainer during school athletics activities. Establishes that a person who knowingly violates the athletic trainer statute commits a Class B misdemeanor.

Rhode Island S 2530 (Author: Bates)

Amends the provisions regarding the clinical experience required for an athletic trainer license. Requires clinical experience in accordance with national standards and as approved by the director of the Rhode Island Department of Health.

Tennessee S 2559 (Author: Cooper)

Makes changes to athletic trainer laws. Replaces athletic trainer certificate with an athletic trainer license. Changes student trainer supervision requirements to include supervision by a licensed trainer and a licensed physician.

Utah S 113 (Author: Valentine)

Amends existing statute to include certain athletic trainers in the category of persons who may engage in their profession without a license. Specifies that in order for an athletic trainer to qualify for this exemption, he or she must: (1) be certified by the National Athletic Trainers' Association; (2) be employed with an educational institution, a professional sports organization or an amateur sports organization; and (3) provide athletic training to athletes of the educational institution or sports organization to which the person is employed and such services are within the scope of the individual's certification.

Gambling/ sports lottery

Arizona H 2381 (Author: Gardner)

Amends existing law to prohibit the State Lottery Commission from establishing a lottery based on the results of any sporting event. Establishes a minimum age of 21 years old for purchasing a lottery ticket, effective in 2003.

Gender equity

Illinois S 1589 (Author: Karpiel)

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.

High-school extracurricular/home school

Florida S 92 (Author: Sullivan)

Amends existing law related to student academic standards for participation in interscholastic extracurricular activities. Requires a minimum grade-point average of 2.000 in the previous semester or a cumulative grade-point average of 2.000 in certain specified courses in order to participate in extracurricular activities. Establishes an academic performance contract between the student, the school district, the appropriate governing association, and the student's parents or guardian, if the student's cumulative grade-point average falls below 2.000 in certain specified courses. States that the academic performance contract must require that the student attend summer school between grades 9 and 10 or grades 10 and 11, as necessary.

Internet gambling

South Dakota H 1110 (Author: Hunt)

Prohibits anyone engaged in a gambling business from using the Internet to place a bet or wager. Prohibits anyone from establishing a location or Web site in the state to conduct a gambling business on or over the Internet. Imposes class 6 felony penalties on violators. Exempts South Dakota State Lottery from the prohibition.

Sports officials

Georgia H 265 (Author: Watson)

States that any person who commits a simple battery or battery against a sports official during or immediately after the officiating of an amateur contest is subject to criminal misdemeanor penalties of a high and aggravated nature.

Tickets

Arizona H 2485 (Author: Leff)

Prohibits a person from forging or altering a ticket, with the intent to defraud, to any sports, amusement or concert event. Imposes criminal class I misdemeanor penalties on violators.

Enacted legislation by state

Athlete agents

AL SJR 55

Athletic trainers

AZ S 1202

Gambling/sports lottery

AZ H 2381

Tickets

AZ H 2485

Connecticut Athletic trainers

CT H 5794

Florida

Athlete agents

FL S 1016

High School

Extracurricular/home school

FL S 92

Georgia

Athlete agents

GA H 1323

Sports officials

GA H 265

Illinois

Gender equity

IL S 1589

Indiana

Athletic trainers

IN S 401

Ohio

Athlete agents

OH H 107

Rhode Island

Athletic trainers

RI S 2530

South Carolina

Athletic facilities

SC S 975

South Dakota

Internet gambling

SD H 1110

Tennessee

Athletic trainers

TN S 2559

Utah

Athletic trainers

UT S 113