In another sign that Congress may not be so amenable to schools in their quest to maintain control over all aspects of college athletics, two US senators plan to submit a bill later this week prohibiting schools from compelling athletes sign COVID-19 waivers as a condition of participation.
In a draft copy of the legislation obtained by CBS Sports, the senators make four stipulations:
- An institution shall not allow any individual to agree to a waiver of liability regarding the coronavirus.
- An institution shall not cancel a scholarship or financial aid for a player who refuses to participate because of concerns regarding the coronavirus.
- An institution shall inform all athletes at the school when an athlete or staff member tests positive for COVID-19. The person who tests positive does not have to be identified.
- An institution will make sure the athletic department adheres to COVID-19 health and safety guidelines.
I’m sure the NCAA will be in favor of this, since it would ameliorate the problem of multiple jurisdictions having different rules about waivers. Nobody wants chaos, you know.
Eh, just kidding. Schools are probably on the phone right now asking Sen. Rubio to pull their nuts out of the fire.
Get The Picture 
I know its quaint to care about limited federal power, but what Article I, Section 8 clause enables them to do that?
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As everything Congress does, they would say it’s covered by the interstate commerce clause because student-athletes cross state lines to attend school and to participate in games.
I’m no Constitutional lawyer, but I did stay in a Holiday Inn Express last night.
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This is the best post (almost) ever, Senator! From the title, good news in the body, down to the best of all, “…pulling their nuts out of the fire.”
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An institution will make sure the athletic department adheres to COVID-19 health and safety guidelines.
Either the safety guidelines don’t include 6’ distancing and PPE face masks or there’s a real problem with this bullet point.
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Why do you think these two particular senators proposed this legislation? Concern for the kids? Surely politics wouldn’t be on the minds of Senators Blumenthal and Booker. Why would they want football cancelled and everybody depressed in November?
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You know Booker played college football, right?
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No I didn’t. It just seems like everyone has an agenda. I hope I’m wrong.
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https://www.huffpost.com/entry/americas-pediatricians-say-schools-should-reopen-this-fall_l_5efb5931c5b6ca9709157324
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