VirginiaHB9712026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

College student-athletes; biometric data, protections and limitations.

Sponsored By: Marcia S. "Cia" Price (Democratic)

Became Law

Summary

College student-athletes; biometric data; protections and limitations. Prohibits any private institution of higher education, associate-degree-granting public institution of higher education, or baccalaureate public institution of higher education in the Commonwealth from disclosing to any individual or entity outside of the institution any enrolled student-athlete's biometric data, as defined in the bill, without the prior written consent of the student-athlete. The bill also prohibits any individual or entity from making the possession, use, or ownership of or the rights to any student-athlete's biometric data a condition of any contract with the student-athlete for the use of the student-athlete's name, image, or likeness without the prior written consent of the student-athlete in a writing that is separate and apart from such contract.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

College athletes control their biometric data

The law defines what counts as biometric data for student-athletes. It includes DNA; face or iris scans; fingerprints; voiceprints; typing or walking patterns; and sleep or exercise data that identify you. Your school cannot share your biometric data outside the school without your prior written consent. No person or company can require your biometric data for a name, image, or likeness (NIL) deal. If you agree, you must sign a written consent that is separate from the contract.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Marcia S. "Cia" Price

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 212 • No: 7

Senate vote 3/9/2026

Passed Senate Block Vote

Yes: 40 • No: 0

Senate vote 3/6/2026

Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading)

Yes: 39 • No: 0

Senate vote 3/6/2026

Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote 3/5/2026

Reported from Education and Health

Yes: 15 • No: 0

House vote 2/17/2026

Read third time and passed House

Yes: 93 • No: 3

House vote 2/11/2026

Reported from Education

Yes: 19 • No: 1 • Other: 1

House vote 2/9/2026

Subcommittee recommends reporting

Yes: 6 • No: 3

Actions Timeline

  1. Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0247)

    4/6/2026Governor
  2. Approved by Governor-Chapter 247 (effective 7/1/2026)

    4/6/2026Governor
  3. Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026

    3/25/2026Governor
  4. Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 25, 2026

    3/25/2026House
  5. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB971)

    3/16/2026House
  6. Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB971ER)

    3/14/2026House
  7. Enrolled

    3/14/2026House
  8. Signed by President

    3/14/2026Senate
  9. Signed by Speaker

    3/14/2026House
  10. Passed Senate Block Vote (40-Y 0-N 0-A)

    3/9/2026Senate
  11. Read third time

    3/9/2026Senate
  12. Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

    3/6/2026Senate
  13. Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading) (39-Y 0-N 0-A)

    3/6/2026Senate
  14. Rules suspended

    3/6/2026Senate
  15. Reported from Education and Health (15-Y 0-N)

    3/5/2026Senate
  16. Assigned Education sub: Higher Education

    3/2/2026Senate
  17. Referred to Committee on Education and Health

    2/18/2026Senate
  18. Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading)

    2/18/2026Senate
  19. Read third time and passed House (93-Y 3-N 0-A)

    2/17/2026House
  20. Read second time and engrossed

    2/16/2026House
  21. Read first time

    2/13/2026House
  22. Reported from Education (19-Y 1-N 1-A)

    2/11/2026House
  23. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB971)

    2/9/2026House
  24. Subcommittee recommends reporting (6-Y 3-N)

    2/9/2026House
  25. Assigned HED sub: Higher Education

    2/5/2026House

Bill Text

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