Missouri State Representative Rick Brattin (R-55) filed House Bill 1743, a bill that could be used at the discretion of an institution of higher learning to prematurely end a student athlete’s scholarship as they see fit. The intent of HB1743 is to strip student athletes of their athletic scholarships for exercising their constitutional 1st Amendment rights. This bill would prevent athletes from joining their fellow classmates in protesting or supporting protests, even when those protest are geared towards promoting positive change within their immediate surroundings. This bill subjugates student athletes to institutionalized issues that do not foster a safe and accepting environment, at times. This bill will greatly affect all sports programs within the state of Missouri, student athletes will begin to see the state of Missouri as anything but progressive and look over our state as an option to play within.

Review HB1743 below:

http://www.house.mo.gov/billsummary.aspx?bill=HB1743&year=2016&code=R