A New Jersey lawmaker has proposed a bill that would ban stay-to-play policies in the state.
Assemblywoman Mitchelle Drulis (D-Ringoes) told NJ.com she introduced the legislation last month because she felt the 2024 Varsity Brands settlement did not go far enough.
The bill would it make it unlawful under the state’s consumer fraud act for “a youth serving organization to require, as a condition of eligibility to participate in an activity or service it provides, the use of a designated travel agent, lodging, or transportation entity.”
A youth serving organization is defined as “a sports team, league, athletic association or any other corporation, association or organization, including public and nonpublic schools, which provides recreational, instructional, educational, cultural, social, charitable or other activities or services to persons under 18 years of age."
The bill would take immediate effect if passed. Organizations would face fines (up to $10K for first offense, up to $20K for subsequent ones). Violations could also "result in cease and desist orders issued by the Attorney General, the assessment of punitive damages, and the awarding of treble damages and costs to the injured party."
The bill's language defining youth serving organizations is pretty broad. You could make the argument it covers any group that serves kids, regardless of whether the actual event involves kids.
That could make this a tough sell in Atlantic City, Newark and anywhere else that attracts events. Because what often gets overlooked in this conversation is the mechanics of what is called stay-to-play in youth sports is commonplace in any other event-based industry. The consumer is just typically an institution with an expense account rather than an individual family.
Also: Drulis represents a youth sports hotbed. Diamond Nation is in her district, as are other facilities and the businesses that benefit from regional sports tourism. And based on location most New Jersey families will be covered by industry-standard stay-to-play exemptions. Not sure how much will there is for legislation that impacts constituents and would likely benefit out-of-state families more than in-state ones.
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