LCO No. 5298 1 of 21 General Assembly Bill No. 7066 January Session, 2025 LCO No. 5298 Referred to Committee on No Committee Introduced by: REP. RITTER, 1 st Dist. SEN. LOONEY, 11 th Dist. REP. ROJAS, 9 th Dist. SEN. DUFF, 25 th Dist. AN ACT CONCERNING INTERACTIONS BETWEEN SCHOOL PERSONNEL AND IMMIGRATION AUTHORITIES, THE PURCHASE AND OPERATION OF CERTAIN DRONES, GRANTS TO CERTAIN NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS, AND STUDENT ATHLETE COMPENSATION THROUGH ENDORSEMENT CONTRACTS AND REVENUE SHARING AG REEMENTS. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Assembly convened: Section 1. (NEW) (Effective from passage) (a) Not later than April 1, 1 2025, each (1) superintendent of schools for a school district, (2) regional 2 educational service center, (3) governing authority for a state charter 3 school, and (4) endowed or incorporated academy approved by the 4 State Board of Education pursuant to section 10-34 of the general 5 statutes, shall designate at least one administrator at each school in the 6 school district or under the jurisdiction of the regional educational 7 service center or governing authority of the state charter school, to serve 8 as the individual responsible for interacting with a federal immigration 9 Bill No. LCO No. 5298 2 of 21 authority, as defined in section 54-192h of the general statutes, who 10 appears in person at the location of such school or otherwise contacts 11 the school to request information. In the course of interacting with a 12 federal immigration authority, the administrator shall implement the 13 protocols of the school security and safety plan, developed pursuant to 14 section 10-222m of the general statutes, as amended by this act, relating 15 to interactions with a federal immigration authority. 16 (b) No local or regional board of education, regional educational 17 service center, governing authority for a state charter school or endowed 18 or incorporated academy shall discipline, suspend, terminate or 19 otherwise punish an employee or an administrator designated pursuant 20 to subsection (a) of this section for (1) implementing the protocols of the 21 school security and safety plan relating to interactions with a federal 22 immigration authority, or (2) taking any of the actions described in 23 subparagraphs (B)(ii) and (B)(iii) of subdivision (2) of subsection (b) of 24 section 10-222m of the general statutes, as amended by this act, during 25 an interaction with a federal immigration authority. 26 Sec. 2. Section 10-222m of the general statutes is repealed and the 27 following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage): 28 (a) For the school year commencing July 1, 2014, and each school year 29 thereafter, each local and regional board of education shall develop and 30 implement a school security and safety plan for each school under the 31 jurisdiction of such board. Such plans shall be based on (1) the school 32 security and safety plan standards developed by the Department of 33 Emergency Services and Public Protection, pursuant to section 10-222n, 34 and (2) on and after the effective date of this section, the Guidance to K-35 12 Public Schools Pertaining to Immigration Activities developed by the 36 Department of Education on January 28, 2025. Each local and regional 37 board of education shall annually review and update, if necessary, such 38 plans. 39 (b) (1) For the school year commencing July 1, 2014, and each school 40 Bill No. LCO No. 5298 3 of 21 year thereafter, each local and regional board of education shall 41 establish a school security and safety committee at each school under 42 the jurisdiction of such board. The school security and safety committee 43 shall be responsible for assisting in the development of the school 44 security and safety plan for the school and administering such plan. 45 Such school security and safety committee shall consist of a local police 46 officer, a local first responder, a teacher [and an administrator] 47 employed at the school, the administrator designated pursuant to 48 section 1 of this act, a mental health professional, as defined in section 49 10-76t, a parent or guardian of a student enrolled in the school and any 50 other person the board of education deems necessary. Any parent or 51 guardian serving as a member of a school security and safety committee 52 shall not have access to any information reported to such committee, 53 pursuant to subparagraph (c) of subdivision (2) of subsection (c) of 54 section 10-222k. 55 (2) For the school year commencing July 1, 2024, each local and 56 regional board of education shall update the school security and safety 57 plan for each school under the jurisdiction of such board to include 58 protocols for interacting with a federal immigration authority, as 59 defined in section 54-192h, that appears in-person at a school under the 60 jurisdiction of such board or otherwise contacts a school to request 61 information. Such protocols shall (A) be based on the Guidance to K-12 62 Public Schools Pertaining to Immigration Activities developed by the 63 Department of Education on January 28, 2025, and (B) include, at a 64 minimum, (i) the designation of at least one administrator at each school 65 to serve as the individual responsible for interacting with the federal 66 immigration authority, pursuant to section 1 of this act, (ii) provisions 67 that such administrator, or any other school employee, may (I) request 68 and record a federal immigration authority's identification, including 69 the name, badge or identification number, telephone number and 70 business card of such federal immigration authority, (II) ask such 71 federal immigration authority if such federal immigration authority is 72 in possession of a judicial warrant to support such federal immigration 73 Bill No. LCO No. 5298 4 of 21 authority's request and, if so, to produce such judicial warrant, (III) 74 review any warrant or other materials that such federal immigration 75 authority produces to determine who issued such warrant and what 76 such warrant or other material authorizes such federal immigration 77 authority to do, and (IV) consult with legal counsel for the school 78 district, or guidance developed by such legal counsel, on how to interact 79 with such federal immigration authority with regards to the nature of 80 the request, whether a warrant is produced, the details of any such 81 warrant, whether such warrant is a judicial warrant or an administrative 82 warrant, whether such federal immigration authority is claiming 83 exigent circumstances, and any other consideration identified by such 84 legal counsel, and (iii) permit other school personnel to direct such 85 federal immigration authority who requests access to any records, 86 information, the interior of the school building or other school personnel 87 to communicate with the administrator designated to interact with such 88 federal immigration authority. 89 (c) Each local and regional board of education shall annually submit 90 the school security and safety plan for each school under the jurisdiction 91 of such board, developed pursuant to subsection (a) of this section, to 92 the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection. 93 Sec. 3. Section 10-222m of the general statutes, as amended by section 94 63 of public act 23-167, is repealed and the following is substituted in 95 lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2025): 96 (a) For the school year commencing July 1, 2014, and each school year 97 thereafter, each local and regional board of education shall develop and 98 implement a school security and safety plan for each school under the 99 jurisdiction of such board. Such plans shall be based on (1) the school 100 security and safety plan standards developed by the Department of 101 Emergency Services and Public Protection, pursuant to section 10-222n, 102 and (2) on and after the effective date of this section, the Guidance to K-103 12 Public Schools Pertaining to Immigration Activities developed by the 104 Department of Education on January 28, 2025. Each local and regional 105 Bill No. LCO No. 5298 5 of 21 board of education shall annually review and update, if necessary, such 106 plans. 107 (b) (1) For the school year commencing July 1, 2014, and each school 108 year thereafter, each local and regional board of education shall 109 establish a school security and safety committee at each school under 110 the jurisdiction of such board. The school security and safety committee 111 shall be responsible for assisting in the development of the school 112 security and safety plan for the school and administering such plan. 113 Such school security and safety committee shall consist of a local police 114 officer, a local first responder, a teacher [and an administrator] 115 employed at the school, the administrator designated pursuant to 116 section 1 of this act, a mental health professional, as defined in section 117 10-76t, a parent or guardian of a student enrolled in the school and any 118 other person the board of education deems necessary. Any parent or 119 guardian serving as a member of a school security and safety committee 120 shall not have access to information reported to such committee that 121 would result in a violation of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy 122 Act of 1974, 20 USC 1232g, as amended from time to time. 123 (2) For the school year commencing July 1, 2024, each local and 124 regional board of education shall update the school security and safety 125 plan for each school under the jurisdiction of such board to include 126 protocols for interacting with a federal immigration authority, as 127 defined in section 54-192h, that appears in-person at a school under the 128 jurisdiction of such board or otherwise contacts a school to request 129 information. Such protocols shall (A) be based on the Guidance to K-12 130 Public Schools Pertaining to Immigration Activities developed by the 131 Department of Education on January 28, 2025, and (B) include, at a 132 minimum, (i) the designation of at least one administrator at each school 133 to serve as the individual responsible for interacting with the federal 134 immigration authority, pursuant to section 1 of this act, (ii) provisions 135 that such administrator, or any other school employee, may (I) request 136 and record a federal immigration authority's identification, including 137 the name, badge or identification number, telephone number and 138 Bill No. LCO No. 5298 6 of 21 business card of such federal immigration authority, (II) ask such 139 federal immigration authority if such federal immigration authority is 140 in possession of a judicial warrant to support such federal immigration 141 authority's request and, if so, to produce such judicial warrant, (III) 142 review any warrant or other materials that such federal immigration 143 authority produces to determine who issued such warrant and what 144 such warrant or other material authorizes such federal immigration 145 authority to do, and (IV) consult with legal counsel for the school 146 district, or guidance developed by such legal counsel, on how to interact 147 with such federal immigration authority with regards to the nature of 148 the request, whether a warrant is produced, the details of any such 149 warrant, whether such warrant is a judicial warrant or an administrative 150 warrant, whether such federal immigration authority is claiming 151 exigent circumstances, and any other consideration identified by such 152 legal counsel, and (iii) permit other school personnel to direct such 153 federal immigration authority who requests access to any records, 154 information, the interior of the school building or other school personnel 155 to communicate with the administrator designated to interact with such 156 federal immigration authority. 157 (c) Each local and regional board of education shall annually submit 158 the school security and safety plan for each school under the jurisdiction 159 of such board, developed pursuant to subsection (a) of this section, to 160 the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection. 161 Sec. 4. (Effective from passage) Not later than seven calendar days after 162 the effective date of this section, the Commissioner of Education shall 163 provide notice of the provisions of section 1 of this act and the 164 amendments to section 10-222m of the general statutes, as amended by 165 this act, to each (1) superintendent of schools for a school district, (2) 166 regional educational service center, (3) governing authority for a state 167 charter school, and (4) endowed or incorporated academy approved by 168 the State Board of Education pursuant to section 10-34 of the general 169 statutes. 170 Bill No. LCO No. 5298 7 of 21 Sec. 5. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2025) (a) As used in this section: 171 (1) "Covered foreign entity" means (A) any person who is included in 172 (i) the Consolidated Screening List maintained by the United States 173 Department of Commerce, United States Department of State and 174 United States Department of Treasury, or (ii) the Entity List, 175 Supplement 4 to 15 CFR Part 744, as amended from time to time, (B) the 176 People's Republic of China, the Russian Federation and any 177 governmental subdivision, agency or instrumentality thereof, (C) any 178 person domiciled in the People's Republic of China or the Russian 179 Federation, (D) any person under the control or influence of the People's 180 Republic of China or the Russian Federation, and (E) any affiliate or 181 subsidiary of any foreign government or person described in 182 subparagraphs (A) to (D), inclusive, of this subdivision; 183 (2) "Department head" has the same meaning as provided in section 184 4-5 of the general statutes; 185 (3) "Exigent circumstances" means significantly changed 186 circumstances that were unforeseeable and pose an imminent threat to 187 public health or safety; 188 (4) "Municipality" has the same meaning as provided in section 7-148 189 of the general statutes; 190 (5) "Person" means any individual, association, corporation, limited 191 liability company, partnership, trust, government, governmental 192 subdivision, agency, instrumentality or other legal entity; 193 (6) "Small unmanned aircraft system" (A) means any unmanned 194 powered aircraft that (i) is operated without the possibility of direct 195 human intervention from within or on the aircraft, and (ii) weighs less 196 than fifty-five pounds including anything attached to or carried by the 197 aircraft, and (B) includes (i) all elements that (I) are associated with the 198 aircraft described in subparagraph (A) of this subdivision, and (II) are 199 required for the operator to operate the aircraft described in 200 Bill No. LCO No. 5298 8 of 21 subparagraph (A) of this subdivision safely and efficiently in the 201 national airspace system, and (ii) any communication links and 202 components that control the aircraft described in subparagraph (A) of 203 this subdivision; and 204 (7) "State agency" means any agency with a department head. 205 (b) (1) Except as provided in subdivisions (2) and (3) of this 206 subsection and subsection (d) of this section: 207 (A) Beginning October 1, 2025, the Department of Emergency 208 Services and Public Protection shall not purchase any small unmanned 209 aircraft system assembled or manufactured by a covered foreign entity; 210 and 211 (B) Beginning October 1, 2027, the Department of Emergency Services 212 and Public Protection shall not operate any small unmanned aircraft 213 system assembled or manufactured by a covered foreign entity. 214 (2) The provisions of subparagraph (A) of subdivision (1) of this 215 subsection shall not be construed to impair any contract entered into 216 before October 1, 2025. 217 (3) The provisions of subparagraph (B) of subdivision (1) of this 218 subsection shall not be construed to impair any contract entered into 219 before October 1, 2027. 220 (c) (1) Except as provided in subdivisions (2) and (3) of this subsection 221 and subsection (d) of this section: 222 (A) Beginning October 1, 2026, (i) no state agency or municipality 223 shall purchase any small unmanned aircraft system assembled or 224 manufactured by a covered foreign entity, (ii) no person who enters into 225 a contract with any state agency or municipality shall, pursuant to such 226 contract, purchase any small unmanned aircraft system assembled or 227 manufactured by a covered foreign entity, and (iii) no state or federal 228 funds, including, but not limited to, any state or federal funds awarded 229 Bill No. LCO No. 5298 9 of 21 or paid pursuant to a contract, cooperative agreement or grant, shall be 230 used to purchase any small unmanned aircraft system assembled or 231 manufactured by a covered foreign entity; and 232 (B) Beginning October 1, 2028, (i) no state agency or municipality 233 shall operate any small unmanned aircraft system assembled or 234 manufactured by a covered foreign entity, (ii) no person who enters into 235 a contract with any state agency or municipality shall, pursuant to such 236 contract, operate any small unmanned aircraft system assembled or 237 manufactured by a covered foreign entity, and (iii) no state or federal 238 funds, including, but not limited to, any state or federal funds awarded 239 or paid pursuant to a contract, cooperative agreement or grant, shall be 240 used to operate any small unmanned aircraft system assembled or 241 manufactured by a covered foreign entity. 242 (2) The provisions of subparagraph (A) of subdivision (1) of this 243 subsection shall not be construed to impair any contract entered into 244 before October 1, 2026. 245 (3) The provisions of subparagraph (B) of subdivision (1) of this 246 subsection shall not be construed to impair any contract entered into 247 before October 1, 2028. 248 (d) (1) During the period beginning October 1, 2027, and ending 249 December 31, 2034, the Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public 250 Protection may waive the prohibitions established in subdivision (1) of 251 subsection (b) of this section if (A) the commissioner determines that 252 such waiver is necessary (i) due to exigent circumstances, (ii) to counter 253 another small unmanned aircraft system, or (iii) for the purposes of any 254 criminal investigation, and (B) not later than seven days after the 255 Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection uses the small 256 unmanned aircraft system, the commissioner creates a written 257 statement, certified by the commissioner, disclosing (i) the reason set 258 forth in subparagraph (A) of this subdivision that provides the basis for 259 the commissioner's determination that such waiver is necessary, and (ii) 260 Bill No. LCO No. 5298 10 of 21 facts supporting the commissioner's determination that such waiver is 261 necessary for such reason. 262 (2) During the period beginning October 1, 2028, and ending 263 December 31, 2034, the department head of the state agency, the chief 264 law enforcement officer of the municipality or the chief of the paid 265 municipal or volunteer fire department may waive the prohibitions 266 established in subdivision (1) of subsection (c) of this section if (A) the 267 department head or chief determines that such waiver is necessary (i) 268 due to exigent circumstances, (ii) to counter another small unmanned 269 aircraft system, or (iii) for the purposes of any criminal investigation, 270 and (B) not later than seven days after the state agency, municipality or 271 contractor uses the small unmanned aircraft system, the department 272 head or chief submits to the Department of Emergency Services and 273 Public Protection a written statement, certified by the department head 274 or chief, disclosing (i) the reason set forth in subparagraph (A) of this 275 subdivision that provides the basis for such department head's or chief's 276 determination that such waiver is necessary, and (ii) facts supporting 277 the department head's or chief's determination that such waiver is 278 necessary for such reason. 279 (3) The Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection 280 shall maintain each written statement created by the Commissioner of 281 Emergency Services and Public Protection pursuant to subdivision (1) 282 of this subsection or submitted to the department pursuant to 283 subdivision (2) of this subsection. The commissioner shall, upon 284 request, disclose a copy of any such written statement to any member of 285 the General Assembly. Each such written statement shall be subject to 286 disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act, as defined in section 287 1-200 of the general statutes. 288 Sec. 6. (NEW) (Effective October 1, 2025) As used in this section and 289 sections 7 and 8 of this act: 290 (1) "Aircraft" and "unmanned aircraft" have the same meanings as 291 Bill No. LCO No. 5298 11 of 21 provided in section 15-34 of the general statutes; 292 (2) "Ammunition" has the same meaning as provided in section 53a-293 217 of the general statutes; 294 (3) "Armed forces of the state" has the same meaning as such term is 295 used in section 27-2 of the general statutes; 296 (4) "Armed forces of the United States" means armed forces, as 297 defined in section 27-103 of the general statutes; 298 (5) "Critical infrastructure facility" means (A) the following types of 299 properties, provided any such property is completely enclosed by a 300 fence or other physical barrier that is clearly designed to exclude 301 intruders from such property, or the property is clearly marked with at 302 least one sign that is posted on the property, reasonably likely to come 303 to the attention of intruders on such property and indicates that the 304 operation of unmanned aircraft is prohibited: (i) An electrical generating 305 facility, electric substation or switchyard or electric control system, (ii) a 306 facility for storing, receiving or processing petroleum products and 307 other fuels, (iii) a chemical or rubber manufacturing or storage facility, 308 (iv) a correctional facility, (v) a telecommunications central office or 309 wireless telecommunications infrastructure, (vi) a commercial port, 310 harbor, rail yard, truck terminal or other freight transportation facility, 311 (vii) a plant for the manufacture and distribution of gas, (viii) a 312 transmission facility of a television or radio station licensed by the 313 Federal Communications Commission, (ix) any portion of an above-314 ground oil, gas or chemical pipeline, (x) a dam classified as a high or 315 significant hazard by the Commissioner of Energy and Environmental 316 Protection, (xi) an air navigation facility, as defined in section 15-34 of 317 the general statutes, (xii) a military facility, as defined in section 27-39 of 318 the general statutes, (xiii) a reservoir, water treatment plant, distribution 319 system and pumping station or wastewater treatment plant, collection 320 system and pump station, (xiv) a facility used primarily by a defense 321 contractor, as defined in 32 CFR 158.3, as amended from time to time, 322 Bill No. LCO No. 5298 12 of 21 (xv) a government office building, (xvi) a hospital, (xvii) a public safety 323 building or facility, (xviii) a state or locally owned bridge; or (B) a 324 limited access highway, as defined in section 14-1 of the general statutes, 325 or a tunnel located on a limited access highway. 326 (6) "Dangerous instrument" has the same meaning as provided in 327 section 53a-3 of the general statutes; 328 (7) "Deadly weapon" has the same meaning as provided in section 329 53a-3 of the general statutes; 330 (8) "Explosive or incendiary device" has the same meaning as 331 provided in section 53-206b of the general statutes; 332 (9) "Firearm" has the same meaning as provided in section 53a-3 of 333 the general statutes; 334 (10) "Firefighter" has the same meaning as provided in section 7-313g 335 of the general statutes; 336 (11) "Person" means any individual, association, corporation, limited 337 liability company, partnership, trust, government, governmental 338 subdivision, agency, instrumentality or other legal entity; 339 (12) "Police officer" has the same meaning as provided in section 7-340 294a of the general statutes; and 341 (13) "Public service company" has the same meaning as provided in 342 section 16-1 of the general statutes. 343 Sec. 7. (NEW) (Effective October 1, 2025) (a) Except as provided in 344 subsections (b) and (c) of this section, no person shall (1) operate any 345 unmanned aircraft, or program an unmanned aircraft to operate, at a 346 height of less than two hundred fifty feet above ground level of a critical 347 infrastructure facility or within one hundred horizontal feet of a critical 348 infrastructure facility or, in the case of a tunnel, inside such tunnel, or 349 (2) use any unmanned aircraft to conduct surveillance of, gather 350 Bill No. LCO No. 5298 13 of 21 evidence of or collect information concerning a critical infrastructure 351 facility unless such person has obtained prior approval of the owner or 352 administrator of such critical infrastructure facility. 353 (b) The provisions of subdivision (1) of subsection (a) of this section 354 shall not apply to a person operating an unmanned aircraft for 355 commercial purposes in compliance with authorization granted by the 356 Federal Aviation Administration to the extent such operation is 357 necessary for such commercial purpose. 358 (c) The provisions of subsection (a) of this section shall not apply to 359 the operation of an unmanned aircraft by, or on behalf of, an employee 360 of the federal government, the state or a political subdivision of the state, 361 a member of the armed forces of the United States, a member of the 362 armed forces of the state, a firefighter, a police officer, an emergency 363 management director or an employee of a public service company when 364 such operation is in the performance of the official duties of such 365 employee, member, firefighter, officer or director. 366 (d) Any person who violates the provisions of this section shall be 367 guilty of a class A misdemeanor. 368 Sec. 8. (NEW) (Effective October 1, 2025) (a) Except as provided in 369 subsection (b) of this section, no person shall equip an aircraft or 370 unmanned aircraft with a deadly weapon, a dangerous instrument, a 371 firearm, ammunition or an explosive or incendiary device. 372 (b) The provisions of subsection (a) of this section shall not apply to 373 any aircraft or unmanned aircraft operated by (1) a member of the 374 armed forces of the United States or armed forces of the state while 375 engaged in the performance of such member's official duties, or (2) a 376 police officer, firefighter or emergency management director while 377 engaged in rescue services or the provision of emergency services to 378 persons who are in dangerous or perilous circumstances when such 379 aircraft or unmanned aircraft is equipped with a motorized breaching 380 tool. 381 Bill No. LCO No. 5298 14 of 21 (c) Any person who violates the provisions of this section shall be 382 guilty of a class A misdemeanor. 383 Sec. 9. (Effective from passage) The following sums are appropriated 384 from the GENERAL FUND for the purpose herein specified for the fiscal 385 year ending June 30, 2025: 386 T1 GENERAL FUND 2024-2025 T2 T3 JUDICIAL DEPARTMENT T4 Other Expenses 2,087,500 T5 T6 DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH T7 Community Health Services 800,000 T8 T9 TOTAL – GENERAL FUND 2,887,500 Sec. 10. (Effective from passage) The amount appropriated in section 9 387 of this act to the Judicial Department, for Other Expenses, for the fiscal 388 year ending June 30, 2025, shall be made available in said fiscal year for 389 the following grants: 390 T10 Grantee Grant T11 Connecticut Institute for Refugees and Immigrants, Inc. 62,500 T12 Jewish Family Services of Greenwich, Inc. 62,500 T13 Connecticut Immigrant and Refugee Coalition, Inc. 62,500 T14 Center for Children's Advocacy, Inc. 62,500 T15 Anchor Health Initiative Corp. 62,500 T16 Middlesex Hospital 62,500 T17 Triangle Community Center, Inc. 62,500 T18 Queer Youth Program of Connecticut, Inc. 62,500 T19 Kids in Crisis, Inc. 62,500 T20 OutCT, Inc. 62,500 T21 Bridgeport Pride Center, Inc. 62,500 Bill No. LCO No. 5298 15 of 21 T22 PFLAG Enfield, Inc. 62,500 T23 PEERPRIDE, Inc. 62,500 T24 The World Health Clinicians, Inc. 62,500 T25 Social & Environmental Entrepreneurs 62,500 T26 Upper Albany Neighborhood Collaborative, Inc. 62,500 T27 City Seed, Inc. 62,500 T28 Building One Community Corp. 62,500 T29 Havenly, Inc. 62,500 T30 Hartford Gay and Lesbian Health Collective, Inc. dba The Health Collective 387,500 T31 New Haven Gay and Lesbian Community Center, Inc. 225,000 T32 Integrated Refugee & Immigrant Services, Inc. 225,000 T33 Junta For Progressive Action, Inc. 62,500 Sec. 11. (Effective from passage) The amount of eight hundred thousand 391 dollars appropriated in section 9 of this act to the Department of Public 392 Health, for Community Health Services, for the fiscal year ending June 393 30, 2025, shall be made available in said fiscal year for a grant to Planned 394 Parenthood of Southern New England, Inc. 395 Sec. 12. Section 10a-56 of the general statutes is repealed and the 396 following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage): 397 (a) As used in this section: 398 (1) "Student athlete" means a student [enrolled at] who attends or has 399 agreed to attend an institution of higher education [who] and 400 participates or has agreed to participate in an intercollegiate athletic 401 program; 402 (2) "Intercollegiate athletic program" means a program at an 403 institution of higher education for sports played at the collegiate level 404 for which eligibility requirements for participation by a student athlete 405 are established by a national association for the promotion or regulation 406 of college athletics; 407 Bill No. LCO No. 5298 16 of 21 (3) "Compensation" means the receipt, whether directly or indirectly, 408 of any cryptocurrency, money, goods, services, other item of value, in-409 kind contributions and any other form of payment or remuneration; 410 (4) "Endorsement contract" means a written agreement under which 411 a student athlete is employed or receives compensation for the use by 412 another party of such student athlete's person, name, image or likeness 413 in the promotion of any product, service or event; 414 (5) "Sports agent" means a duly licensed person who negotiates or 415 solicits a contract on behalf of a student athlete in accordance with the 416 Sports Agent Responsibility and Trust Act, 15 USC 7801, et seq., as 417 amended from time to time; 418 (6) "NCAA" has the same meaning as provided in section 10a-55k; 419 (7) "Institutional marks" means the name, logo, trademarks, mascot, 420 unique colors, copyrights and other defining insignia of an institution 421 of higher education; 422 (8) "Institution of higher education" means an institution of higher 423 education, as defined in section 10a-55, and a for-profit institution of 424 higher education licensed to operate in this state; 425 (9) "Official team activities" means all games, practices, exhibitions, 426 scrimmages, team appearances, team photograph sessions, sports 427 camps sponsored by the institution of higher education and other team-428 organized activities, including, but not limited to, individual 429 photograph sessions, news media interviews and other related activities 430 as specified by the institution of higher education; [and] 431 (10) "Prohibited endorsements" means receipt of compensation by, or 432 employment of, a student athlete for use of the student athlete's person, 433 name, image or likeness in association with any product, category of 434 companies, brands or types of endorsement contracts that the institution 435 of higher education prohibits endorsing by policy; and 436 Bill No. LCO No. 5298 17 of 21 (11) "Revenue sharing agreement" means an agreement between an 437 institution of higher education, or an entity acting on such institution's 438 behalf, and a student athlete through which a student athlete shares in 439 a portion of the revenue of such institution as compensation. 440 (b) [On or after January 1, 2022, or the date on which an institution of 441 higher education in the state adopts or updates its policy in accordance 442 with subdivision (3) of subsection (f) of this section, whichever is earlier, 443 any] (1) A student athlete [who is enrolled at such] at an institution of 444 higher education in the state may earn compensation through an 445 endorsement contract or employment in an activity that is unrelated to 446 any intercollegiate athletic program and obtain the legal or professional 447 representation of an attorney or sports agent through a written 448 agreement, provided such student athlete complies with the policy or 449 policies adopted by [his or her] such student athlete's institution of 450 higher education regarding student athlete endorsement contracts and 451 employment activities. 452 (2) A student athlete at an institution of higher education in the state 453 may earn compensation through an endorsement contract or a revenue 454 sharing agreement directly with such institution of higher education, or 455 an entity acting on behalf of such institution of higher education, 456 provided such institution of higher education adopts one or more 457 policies allowing endorsement contracts or revenue sharing agreements 458 with student athletes and such student athlete complies with such 459 policy or policies. 460 (c) Each institution of higher education shall adopt one or more 461 policies regarding student athlete endorsement contracts, employment 462 activities and the use of institutional marks. Such policy or policies shall 463 include provisions for: (1) Requiring a student athlete to disclose and 464 submit a copy to [his or her] such student athlete's institution of higher 465 education of each endorsement contract, written agreement for 466 employment and representation agreement executed by the student 467 athlete; (2) prohibiting a student athlete from entering into an agreement 468 Bill No. LCO No. 5298 18 of 21 that conflicts with the provisions of any agreement to which the 469 institution of higher education is a party, provided such institution shall 470 disclose to the student athlete or the student athlete's attorney or sports 471 agent the provisions of the agreement that are in conflict; (3) prohibiting 472 a student athlete's performance of the endorsement contract or 473 employment activity from interfering with any official team activities or 474 academic obligations; and (4) identifying any prohibited endorsements. 475 (d) No provision of this section shall be construed to (1) require an 476 institution of higher education or an athletic association or conference, 477 including, but not limited to, the NCAA, to compensate a student athlete 478 for use of [his or her] such student's name, image or likeness or to enter 479 into a revenue sharing agreement with a student athlete; (2) require a 480 student athlete or any other person to compensate an institution of 481 higher education or an athletic association or conference, including, but 482 not limited to, the NCAA for a student athlete's endorsement contract 483 or employment activity that is in accordance with the provisions of 484 subsection (b) of this section; (3) qualify any scholarship or other 485 financial aid that a student athlete receives from an institution of higher 486 education as compensation; (4) qualify a student athlete as an employee 487 of an institution of higher education; (5) require an institution of higher 488 education to take any action in violation of the Discrimination Based on 489 Sex and Blindness Act, 20 USC 1681, et seq., as amended from time to 490 time; (6) prohibit a student athlete from engaging in an employment 491 activity that entails coaching or performing a sport, provided such 492 activity is not related to any intercollegiate athletic program; (7) prohibit 493 an institution of higher education from using a student athlete's name, 494 image or likeness in connection with official team activities; or (8) 495 require an institution of higher education to allow a student athlete to 496 use or consent to the use of any institutional marks. 497 (e) No athletic association or conference, including, but not limited 498 to, the NCAA, on the basis of a student athlete's endorsement contract, 499 employment activity, revenue sharing agreement or representation by 500 an attorney or sports agent pursuant to subsection (b) of this section, 501 Bill No. LCO No. 5298 19 of 21 shall (1) prohibit or prevent an institution of higher education or its 502 intercollegiate athletic program from participating in intercollegiate 503 sports, (2) restrict or revoke a student athlete's eligibility to participate 504 in an intercollegiate athletic program, (3) prohibit or prevent a student 505 athlete from earning compensation from such endorsement contract, 506 [or] employment activity [,] or revenue sharing agreement, (4) prohibit 507 or prevent a student athlete from representation by a duly licensed 508 attorney or sports agent, or (5) take action on a complaint, open an 509 investigation or take any adverse action against an institution of higher 510 education, an entity acting on behalf of such institution, an employee of 511 such institution or a student athlete for activity permitted under this 512 section, including, but not limited to, direct compensation of a student 513 athlete through an endorsement contract or a revenue sharing 514 agreement. 515 (f) (1) No institution of higher education, on the basis of a student 516 athlete's endorsement contract, employment activity or representation 517 by an attorney or sports agent pursuant to subsection (b) of this section, 518 shall (A) prohibit or prevent such student athlete from earning 519 compensation from such endorsement contract or employment activity, 520 (B) prohibit or prevent such student athlete from representation by a 521 duly licensed attorney or sports agent, or (C) restrict or revoke such 522 student athlete's eligibility for a scholarship or to participate in the 523 intercollegiate athletic program at such institution. 524 (2) [Notwithstanding section 1-210 with respect to public institutions 525 of higher education, no institution of higher education shall disclose any 526 record of] With respect to public institutions of higher education, 527 records of the compensation received by a student athlete from an 528 endorsement contract, [or] employment activity or revenue sharing 529 agreement entered into or engaged in pursuant to subsection (b) of this 530 section shall not be subject to disclosure under the Freedom of 531 Information Act, as defined in section 1-200, unless the [institution] 532 public institution of higher education receives the written consent of the 533 student athlete for each disclosure. 534 Bill No. LCO No. 5298 20 of 21 [(3) Not later than January 1, 2022, the governing board of each 535 institution of higher education shall adopt or update its policies, as 536 necessary, to carry out the purposes of this section.] 537 (g) No provision of subsections (d) and (f) of this section shall be 538 construed to prevent an institution of higher education or an athletic 539 association or conference, including, but not limited to, the NCAA, from 540 prohibiting a student athlete's participation in an intercollegiate athletic 541 program, revoking a student athlete's eligibility for a scholarship or 542 taking any other punitive or legal action if such student athlete's 543 endorsement contract, employment activity or representation by an 544 attorney or sport agent does not comply with the provisions of 545 subsection (b) of this section. 546 (h) [No student athlete may receive compensation for use of such 547 student athlete's name, image or likeness as an inducement to attend, 548 enroll in or continue attending a specific institution of higher education 549 or intercollegiate athletic program.] An institution of higher education, 550 or an entity acting on behalf of such institution, may create, facilitate, 551 negotiate, support, assist with or otherwise enable opportunities for a 552 student athlete or a prospective student athlete to earn compensation 553 for use of such student athlete's name, image or likeness or any other 554 compensation related to such student athlete's participation in an 555 intercollegiate athletic program. 556 (i) No institution of higher education shall use state funds 557 appropriated to such institution for compensation of a student athlete 558 pursuant to an endorsement contract or a revenue sharing agreement. 559 Sec. 13. (NEW) (Effective from passage) Not later than January 1, 2026, 560 and annually thereafter, each public institution of higher education that 561 enters into a revenue sharing agreement with a student athlete pursuant 562 to section 10a-56 of the general statutes, as amended by this act, shall 563 submit, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a of the general 564 statutes, to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly 565 Bill No. LCO No. 5298 21 of 21 having cognizance of matters relating to higher education and 566 employment advancement a report stating the amount of total revenue 567 that is used as compensation for student athletes and the total number 568 of student athletes receiving such compensation. 569 This act shall take effect as follows and shall amend the following sections: Section 1 from passage New section Sec. 2 from passage 10-222m Sec. 3 July 1, 2025 10-222m Sec. 4 from passage New section Sec. 5 July 1, 2025 New section Sec. 6 October 1, 2025 New section Sec. 7 October 1, 2025 New section Sec. 8 October 1, 2025 New section Sec. 9 from passage New section Sec. 10 from passage New section Sec. 11 from passage New section Sec. 12 from passage 10a-56 Sec. 13 from passage New section