Student athletes: scholarships.

Existing law provides for a system of postsecondary education in this state. This system includes 4 segments: the University of California, administered by the Regents of the University of California; the California State University, administered by the Trustees of the California State University; the California Community Colleges, administered by the Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges; and independent institutions of higher education. Existing law establishes the Student Athlete Bill of Rights, pursuant to which, commencing with the 2013–14 academic year, intercollegiate athletic programs at 4-year institutions of higher education in this state, as defined, that receive, as an average, $10,000,000 or more in annual revenue derived from media rights, as defined, for intercollegiate athletics, shall be required to comply with prescribed requirements. This bill would define the term "licensing fees" for purposes of the Student Athlete Bill of Rights, and would instead make those provisions applicable to intercollegiate athletic programs at 4-year institutions of higher education in the state that receive, as an average, $20,000,000 or more in annual revenue derived from media rights and licensing fees for intercollegiate athletics. The bill would require that, commencing with the 2015–16 academic year, an athletic scholarship given out by a public institution of higher education in the state be guaranteed for 5 academic years or for the completion of a student athlete's eligibility if the student athlete maintains good standing with the institution he or she attends and continues his or her participation in the sport. The bill would also require that, commencing with the 2015–16 academic year, a full athletic scholarship given out by a public institution cover the full cost of attendance for the institution the student athlete attends, and include an additional $3,600 student athlete participation stipend. The bill would also require, commencing with the 2015–16 academic year, if a student athlete decides to transfer from a 4–year university located in California, that the institution of higher education give the student athlete a "permission-to-contact letter," as defined, and not place any restrictions or conditions on where the student athlete may transfer.