HB 0389 2003
1	A bill to be entitled
2	An act relating to student athletes; creating s. 877.135,
3	F.S.; prohibiting the giving or offering of inducements to
4	certain student athletes for the purpose of encouraging
5	such athlete to attend or not attend certain academic
6	institutions, to become a professional athlete, or to
7	endorse products or commercial establishments; providing
8	exceptions; providing penalties; providing an effective
9	date.
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11	Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
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13	Section 1. Section 877.135, Florida Statutes, is created
14	to read:
15	877.135 Corrupting or attempting to corrupt student
16	athletes.--
17	(1) Whoever gives or offers any inducement to a high
18	school or middle school athlete with the intent of encouraging
19	such athlete to attend or not attend a particular academic
20	institution, to become a professional athlete, or to endorse a
21	product or commercial establishment commits a misdemeanor of the
22	second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or by a fine
23	not to exceed the larger of $1,000 or three times the value of
24	the inducement given or offered. Nothing herein shall prohibit
25	the prosecution of such person under any other laws.
26	(2) The provisions of this section shall not apply to the
27	offering of a scholarship by the academic institution or the
28	provision of items and expenses specifically permitted under the
29	rules and regulations governing the recruitment of athletes by
30	the academic institution. The provisions of this section shall
31	also not apply to any offer of employment by a professional
32	sports team or organization that has provided the athlete with a
33	written statement outlining any limitations which the acceptance
34	of such offer will place on the amateur career of such athlete.
35	Section 2. This act shall take effect July 1, 2003.
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