Policy Resolution GSE-20-52

WHEREAS, the concerns and issues the five major league Players’ Associations have been advocating for are common to every sport at every level in the United States and abroad;

WHEREAS, to date, no state has seen a proposed regulatory framework that adequately protects our nation’s athletes and addresses the core concerns of players;

WHEREAS, it is the belief of this organization that if any state is poised to enact meaningful legislation legalizing sports wagering, that this legislature adequately ensures its citizens who also happen to be players are protected; and

WHEREAS, any measure legalizing sports betting take into account the following key concerns related to player protections and player safety:

1. Personal Safety- the protection of players, their families, umpires, referees, club officials, and other personnel is paramount, as the likelihood of an adverse incident arising from sports wagering, and involving any of the aforementioned parties, will continue to increase as more and more states enact legislation.
2. Reporting Prohibited Contacts: Structure, Process, and Procedures- there must be a procedure for players and other personnel to confidentially report an incident where he or she is contacted or coerced to impact, influence, or manipulate a game or statistical result,
3. Investigations and Allegations: A player’s legal rights must be protected throughout the investigation and adjudication process.
4. Use of Personal Data and Other Information Derived Directly from Athletes- the legalization of sports betting should not jeopardize current legal protections concerning the sale or marketing of any personal health information, performance data.

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the National Black Caucus of State Legislators (NBCSL) expresses its support for the legalization of sports wagering when players are sufficiently protected from potential harm arising from such legalization;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the NBCSL believes that steps will need to be taken that address not only safety during games and in restricted areas, parking lots, at team events, and where athletes are training, but also where they live their lives as citizens of the state outside of their work environment and that this protection must address a broad spectrum of misconduct, including physical or attempted assault, verbal threats, intimidation, and restraining orders;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the NBCSL believes that players should be able to safely report potential manipulation and to ensure players are not dissuaded from reporting prohibited contact for fear of any personal, legal, economic, or other ramifications;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the NBCSL believes that a fair, neutral procedure that ensures due process and proper qualified representation for all parties involved is a necessity;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the NBCSL believes that the players should be able to keep his or her personal health or biometric data private; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that a copy of this resolution be transmitted to the President of the United States, the Vice President of the Unites States, members of the United States House of Representatives and the United States Senate, and other federal and state government officials and agencies as appropriate.

• SPONSOR: Representative Kamia Brown (FL)
  
• Committee of Jurisdiction: Gaming, Sports, Tourism, and Entertainment Policy Committee
  
• Certified by Committee Co-Chairs: Representative Kamia Brown (FL) and Representative Andre Baker (CT)
  
• Ratified in Plenary Session: Ratification Date is December 6, 2019
  
• Ratification is certified by: Representative Gilda Cobb-Hunter (SC), President