AB 252 Summary

• Establishes the College Athlete Protection (CAP) Act to provide rights, protections, and benefits to college athletes at California institutions of higher education, the University of California, California State University, and California Community Colleges.

• Creates a 13-member CAP Panel and CAP Program director within the Office of Planning and Research to develop and enforce health and safety standards, investigate violations, and administer the CAP Fund through fees paid by institutions.

• Requires institutions with $20 million or more in annual athletics revenue to cover college athletes' out-of-pocket sports-related medical expenses; those with $50 million or more must also provide nationally portable primary health insurance and extend coverage for two to four years after athletic eligibility ends.

• Mandates institutions complete annual Title IX compliance evaluations and publish them publicly; maintain athletic grants for up to six years of enrollment or until degree completion regardless of injury or performance; and prohibit retaliation against college athletes for reporting violations.

• Requires institutions to administer financial and life skills workshops covering taxes, budgeting, NIL information, and employment skills; pay annual fees to support the CAP Program; and prohibit operational control from being contracted away.