Summary#
This bill requires large interstate college athletic associations to create and follow written due process rules when they investigate member schools, student athletes, or other people for bylaw violations. It sets specific notice and timing rules for investigations and charges, limits how far back alleged violations may be raised, bans use of anonymous confidential-source evidence, and creates an arbitration option for schools that dispute punishments. The Department of Justice must receive annual reports, may investigate compliance, hold administrative hearings, and can order civil penalties or other remedies.
What it means for you#
- Covered athletic associations: Associations with at least 900 member institutions must adopt and run the required procedures within 1 year of enactment. They must give written notices, follow timing limits, and report annually to the Attorney General and State Attorneys General.
- Member institutions (colleges and universities with athletics): Will receive written notice of inquiries within 60 days when an investigation is opened, a formal notice of allegations within 8 months, and a hearing no earlier than 60 days after allegations and no later than 1 year after the initial inquiry. Institutions can seek binding arbitration for disputes over punishments.
- Student athletes and other individuals: May be named in investigations and are entitled to notice of rights and resources under the association’s procedures.
- Enforcement: The Attorney General may investigate complaints, hold hearings before Department of Justice administrative law judges, and impose civil penalties or other orders.
Expenses#
No publicly available information about overall implementation costs or required appropriations. The text requires annual reporting and DOJ oversight procedures. The bill allows administrative civil penalties between $10,000 and $15,000,000 and permits other remedies such as orders to cease violations and possible removal of governing body members.
Proponents' View#
No publicly available information.
Opponents' View#
No publicly available information.