A Democratic bill with 3 Democratic cosponsors · See all 4 cosponsors
Last activity — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The ``Let Kids Play Act'' aims to prohibit vulture investors from investing in youth sports entities. It defines vulture investors as certain private equity funds that engage in specific harmful practices or have a history of causing entities to become insolvent. The bill establishes strict prohibitions against practices like consolidating control through roll-ups, imposing junk fees, or restricting competition. It also outlines a process for designating firms as vulture investors and requires them to divest their interests. Enforcement is handled by the Federal Trade Commission and the Assistant Attorney General.
Yes· 3 of 11
- Scored +9
Does this give people more control over their personal data?
The bill specifically prohibits the transfer or licensing of athlete biometrics and family financial data by covered firms.
- Scored +8
Does this give people more protection from unfair business practices?
The bill prohibits junk fees, hidden charges, and restrictive exclusivity terms for youth sports participants.
- Scored +8
Would children be better off under this?
The bill protects the safety, financial accessibility, and data privacy of children participating in sports.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Protection of Youth Sports Entities: The bill prohibits "vulture practices" that are designed to extract profit while creating long-s term risk of harm to an entity (Section 2, Definition 13).
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Elimination of Unfair Fees: The act prohibits the imposition of "junk fees" or hidden charges that are not clearly disclosed or are excessive compared to the cost of providing services (Section 3, subsection b, 4).
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Preservation of Competition and Choice: By banning certain exclusivity and non-compete requirements, the bill prevents families and entities from being locked into specific providers or being restricted from participating in competing events (Section 3, subsection b, 5).
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Data Privacy and Protection: The bill prohibits covered firms from claiming or transferring intellectual property rights related to athlete biometrics, performance, or family financial data (Section 3, subsection b, 6).
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Financial Relief for Communities: If a firm is required to divest, the law allows for remedies such as forgiving debts owed by the youth sports entity, its employees, or participating families (Section 5, subsection c, 3, D).
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Funding for Youth Sports Needs: Money collected through disgorgement can be deposited into a "Youth Sports Fund" to reduce participation costs, support free community access, or increase financial aid (Section 8).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Strict Liability for Management: Individuals executing certifications regarding their firm's history are subject to strict liability for material misstatements (Section 4, subsection b, 1).
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Heavy Financial Penalties: Firms that submit certifications containing material omissions face civil penalties of not less than $1,000,000 per certification (Section 4, subsection c, 1).
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Potential for Criminal Charges: Individuals who knowingly submit false certifications can face fines and up to one year in prison (Section 4, subsection c, 2).
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Mandatory Divestiture Burdens: Investors identified as vulture investors are required to undergo a divestiture process, which includes returning ownership of assets and intellectual property (Section 5, subsection a).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this give people more protection from unfair business practices? — The bill prohibits junk fees, hidden charges, and restrictive exclusivity terms for youth sports participants. Does this make it easier to run a small business? — The act prevents large private equity firms from using roll-up strategies to consolidate control over local providers. Does this strengthen the rights of workers to organise? — The bill prohibits vulture practices that include cutting jobs and wages to maximize profit. Is this likely to grow the economy? — The bill protects the long-term financial viability of youth sports entities by preventing predatory debt imposition.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would children be better off under this? — The bill protects the safety, financial accessibility, and data privacy of children participating in sports. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — The bill limits junk fees and establishes a fund to reduce participation costs for families.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this protect people from being watched or searched? — The bill provides strong protections against the unauthorized collection and transfer of personal biometric and financial data. Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill requires the Commission to publish notice in the Federal Register regarding vulture investor designations and guidance.
- Education And Technology
- Does this give people more control over their personal data? — The bill specifically prohibits the transfer or licensing of athlete biometrics and family financial data by covered firms.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — The creation of a Youth Sports Fund can help reduce participation costs for low-income families. Does this expand the rights of people with disabilities? — The bill's focus on safety and operational standards can protect inclusive environments for all participants.
- 9/30/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 6/15/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 5/21/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 5/13/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Cory BookerDemocrat · New Jersey
Ruben GallegoDemocrat · Arizona
Jeff MerkleyDemocrat · Oregon
Bernie SandersIndependent · Vermont