Bill
H 1930
Establishes a framework for MA student-athletes to monetize NIL without harming scholarships or participation, with compliance, education, and enforcement measures.
Overview
- Jurisdiction: Commonwealth of Massachusetts
- Bill number: House Bill 1930
- Title: An Act empowering student-athletes through NIL rights
- Introduced: February 27, 2025
- Current status: Hearing scheduled for July 15, 2025 (1:00 PM – 8:00 PM) in Committee A-2
- Committee action: Referred to the Judiciary; related to NIL rights for student-athletes
- Primary sponsor: Representative Francisco E. Paulino (16th Essex)
Purpose and intent
- Establish a formal framework to allow student-athletes at Massachusetts institutions of higher education to monetize their name, image, and likeness (NIL) without harming scholarships or athletic participation.
- Create standards for NIL agreements, group licensing, and accountability for institutions and athlete agents.
- Provide enforcement mechanisms and education/training to ensure compliant NIL activity.
Key provisions and substantive provisions
1) Definitions
- Student-athlete: Individuals engaged in or recruited for intercollegiate athletics in Massachusetts institutions.
- NIL: Name, image, or likeness used for promotional or commercial purposes.
- Athlete agent: Person providing professional representation to student-athletes in NIL matters.
- NIL agreement: Written or oral contracts for NIL compensation.
- Group licensing: Collective licensing arrangements involving multiple student-athletes.
2) Rights of Student-Athletes
- Students may earn compensation for NIL.
- Compensation shall not affect scholarship eligibility or athletic participation.
- Compensation cannot be contingent on athletic performance or a specific institution.
- Institutions and athletic associations may assist with compliance and information but may not provide direct NIL compensation or restrict NIL rights.
- Group licensing permitted, so long as compliant with the act and not infringing individual rights.
- Entry into professional drafts without forfeiting college eligibility is allowed if no professional contract is signed.
3) Institutional Responsibilities
- Each institution must designate an NIL compliance officer (scaled to size) to manage disclosures and ensure alignment with NCAA/conference policies.
- Institutions must notify student-athletes of conflicts with team contracts within 5 business days of disclosure.
- Provide guidelines on permissible NIL activities and offer access to legal/financial advisory services (directed or via partnerships).
- Smaller institutions may seek state-provided resources to meet compliance/training requirements.
- Institutions may not use NIL for recruiting advantages or force participation in group licensing.
4) NIL Agreements and Disclosure
- Disclosures to compliance officer within 72 hours of signing (or before next competition, whichever is first).
- NIL agreements must specify scope, duration, compensation details, termination/ cancellation terms, and confirmation that no conflict with team contracts exists.
- Group licensing agreements must detail distribution, opt-in, and protections for non-participating student-athletes.
5) Athlete Agent Regulation
- Agents must register with the Secretary of the Commonwealth; applications require disclosures of past actions, NIL activity, and relationships with student-athletes.
- Registration renewed every two years with updated disclosures.
- Prohibited activities include gifts/inducements, misrepresentation, or non-transparent agreements.
- Agent fees capped at 15% of gross student-athlete compensation.
- Agents must provide plain-language summaries of agreements.
- Violations may incur fines up to $100,000 per violation, registration suspension/revocation, and civil liability.
6) Privacy and Public Records
- NIL agreements and related disclosures are exempt from public records laws; confidentiality must be safeguarded.
7) Education and Training
- Institutions must provide annual NIL-related education on contract negotiations, financial literacy/tax compliance, branding/IP/group licensing.
8) Enforcement
- Massachusetts Attorney General oversees enforcement.
- Investigations may be commenced within 60 days of filing; penalties, fines, and corrective actions can be imposed on violators (institutions, agents, or third parties).
- Penalties include fines up to $250,000 for institutions, revocation of privileges for repeat violators, and civil actions for damages.
9) Implementation Task Force
- An advisory task force will oversee implementation, with representation from higher education and related sectors.
Impact and who is affected
- Student-athletes at Massachusetts colleges/universities: clearer rights to monetize NIL and protection against NIL-related restrictions that limit participation or scholarships.
- Institutions and athletic departments: new compliance obligations, disclosure processes, designations of NIL officers, and education/training requirements.
- Athlete agents: registration, oversight, and fee limits; potential penalties for violations.
- Public records/publicity: NIL agreements protected from disclosure without consent.
Timeline and procedural notes
- Filed: January 15, 2025 (House Docket No. 1789; House No. 1930)
- Referred to Judiciary: February 27, 2025
- Hearing: July 15, 2025 (scheduled; multiple rescheduling updates noted)
- Next steps: Committee action, potential amendments, and floor consideration after the hearing. Related HD 1789 bill is listed as replacing.
Related context
- The bill contemplates group licensing and professional draft provisions, with a robust compliance and enforcement framework, along with privacy protections for NIL disclosures.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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