The Florida Senate has unanimously passed the Teddy Bridgewater Act, which would allow K-12 head coaches to spend up to $15,000 of their own money each year to support student-athletes welfare.
Senator Shervin Jones, the bill's sponsor, told WPBF that the bill include guardrails.
"We did put guardrails, we put the $15,000 cap on there, another guardrail that we're putting in place, done by an amendment, was ensuring the parents are aware of what's being purchased for them," Jones said.
The funds can be used for essentials, such as food, transportation, sports equipment and other basic needs. Coaches will need to keep receipts for the expenses.
The bill is named after Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Teddy Bridgewater who was suspended from coaching at his alma mater for admitting that he paid for food and transportation for his players.
"Good faith means that in your good conscience that you're doing what's right for the well-being of that child. It's not for recruiting, it's not for your own self-interest or to lure, anything of that nature, it's being done in good faith," Jones said.
While the bill has passed in the Senate, it still requires approval from the House before it can be sent to the governor's desk.
Jones emphasized that Bridgwater was acting in "good faith" and added that he believes the bill includes "good faith" language.
