WASHINGTON – Pennsylvania and Ohio lawmakers introduced legislation in the House of Representatives that would require NCAA schools to guarantee four-year scholarships to athletes in collision sports and due process for schools accused of breaking rules.
Rep. Charlie Dent, R-Pa., and Rep. Joyce Beatty, D-Ohio, say the National Collegiate Athletics Accountability Act will help improve health and education of student-athletes, and require more NCAA transparency.
The legislation would require athletes to have annual baseline concussion testing and ensure that an athlete in good academic standing would not be in danger of losing a scholarship because of injury or performance.
Most NCAA schools already perform baseline tests. Multiyear scholarships are allowed under NCAA rules, and according to The Chronicle of Higher Education, about two-thirds of the 56 most powerful Division I public universities now offer them.
The legislation also would require members and athletes accused of breaking NCAA rules be given a formal hearing.