To direct the Secretary of Commerce to issue regulations requiring testing for steroids and other performance-enhancing substances for certain sports associations engaged in interstate commerce.
Drug Free Sports Act - (Sec. 3) Directs the Secretary of Commerce to issue regulations requiring professional sports associations to adopt and enforce policies and procedures for the random testing of athletes for the use of performance-enhancing substances. Requires that each athlete be tested five times each year at random intervals during both the season of play and the off-season and without advance notification of the athlete or coaching and training staffs. Requires the Secretary to prescribe the substances for which each athlete is to be tested, to include: (1) prohibited substances as determined by the World Anti-Doping Agency; and (2) substances the Secretary determines are performance-enhancing substances for a particular sport or are designed to conceal the presence of performance-enhancing substances in the body and for which testing is reasonable and practicable.
Requires the Secretary to establish criteria for: (1) exempting athletes for documented legitimate medical or therapeutic usage; (2) testing to be administered by an independent party; and (3) reducing the suspension for an athlete who has tested positive but who establishes that he or she bears no fault or negligence or no significant fault or negligence.
Directs that the penalty for a positive test result is suspension without pay for one-half of the season of play for the first violation, for one full season of play for the second violation, and permanently for a third violation. Requires disclosure to the public of the name of any athlete who tests positive. Provides for an opportunity for a prompt hearing and an appeal before an arbiter.
(Sec. 4) Allows the Secretary to: (1) fine any such association for failure to adopt and enforce testing policies and procedures consistent with the regulations; and (2) reduce such fines if they are unduly burdensome.
(Sec. 5) Requires the Secretary to report to the appropriate congressional committees on the effectiveness of, and compliance with, regulations prescribed under this Act.
Requires the Comptroller General to study the testing policies and practices for the use of performance-enhancing substances by college and secondary school athletes, including: (1) an examination of prohibited substance policies and testing procedures of intercollegiate athletic associations, college and university athletic departments, secondary schools, and state and regional interscholastic athletic associations; and (2) an analysis of the best available estimates for both licit and illicit use of anabolic steroids and human growth hormones by such athletes. Requires the Comptroller General to report to the appropriate congressional committees on the adequacy of such testing policies and procedures in detecting and preventing the use of performance-enhancing substances and include recommendations regarding expanding the application of this Act to intercollegiate and interscholastic athletic associations.
(Sec. 6) Provides that this Act does not prohibit professional sports associations and their athletes from negotiating and agreeing upon more stringent requirements.
Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee (Amended) by Voice Vote.
Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 280.
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Education and the Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Education and the Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Education and the Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 38 - 2.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Workforce Protections.
Referred to the Subcommittee on 21st Century Competitiveness.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Education Reform.
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Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 109-210, Part I.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 109-210, Part I.
House Committee on Education and the Workforce Granted an extension for further consideration ending not later than Sept. 30, 2005.
Subcommittee on Workforce Protections Discharged.
Subcommittee on 21st Century Competitiveness Discharged.
Subcommittee on Education Reform Discharged.
Committee on Education and the Workforce discharged.
Committee on Education and the Workforce discharged.
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 133.