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(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK—ENN)— SACRAMENTO, CA—- Today, Assemblymember Holden’s College Athlete Civil Rights Act of 2019 was signed into law. The legislation, Assembly Bill 1573, gives college athletes more tools and protection to address the challenges or abuses they may face on campus. The bill also allows colleges to create a degree completion fund.
“Many college athletes are putting everything on the line and risking their bodies, and for some, one injury away from losing everything. Others are at risk of losing it all for speaking out for their team or any abuses they are experiencing as college coaches have the power to keep you on or off the team,” said Assemblymember Chris Holden. “This bill is personal for me – before I started my journey in public service, I played college basketball for San Diego State University.”
Abuses and unfair policies against college athletes have made headlines and raised questions about the way college sports programs are run. Assembly Bill 1573 requires schools to inform students of their rights with documentation and public signage and prohibits retaliation by schools if a student reports violations of abuse or violation of rights.
“In addition to providing protection, laying out a path for universities to create a degree completion is a big step towards creating an equitable system for college athletes,” said Holden. “I hope to see universities across California establish degree completion funds in the near future – whether to help students complete their academic program should they lose their eligibility, or to provide a savings account to collect money earned through sponsorships that would be available upon graduation.”
