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Bill

HB 971

College student-athletes; biometric data, protections and limitations.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Elizabeth Bennett-Parker and 5 co-sponsors

HB 971 requires Virginia colleges to obtain explicit consent before collecting student-athlete biometric data and limits institutional use and third-party sharing of such information.

Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0247)
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Bill Summary · HB 971

Legislative bill overview

HB 971 establishes protections and limitations on the collection, use, and storage of biometric data from college student-athletes in Virginia. The bill sets requirements for consent, data security, and restrictions on how institutions and third parties can utilize biometric information collected from athletes.

Why is this important

As colleges increasingly use biometric technology for performance tracking, security, and identification purposes, this bill addresses privacy concerns specific to student-athletes who may face pressure to consent to data collection as a condition of participation. Clear regulatory boundaries protect vulnerable student populations from potential misuse of sensitive biological information while allowing legitimate athletic performance applications.

Potential points of contention

  • Scope of "biometric data" definition: Disagreement over whether the bill's protections are broad enough (facial recognition, gait analysis, genetic data) or too restrictive, limiting beneficial performance analytics
  • Consent requirements vs. institutional autonomy: Tension between requiring explicit informed consent and colleges' need to implement uniform safety and performance systems across athletic programs
  • Data security compliance costs: Institutions may argue stringent storage and protection standards increase operational expenses, particularly for smaller colleges with limited IT resources
  • Third-party access restrictions: Questions about whether limitations on sharing data with sports equipment manufacturers, medical researchers, or athletic conferences unduly hinder innovation and athlete welfare improvements

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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