Restricts youth sports organizations and youth sports facilities from prohibiting attendees of youth sports events from recording personal media

◆ The sponsor's argument

Why Rachel May says this is needed

Parents and families attend youth sports events to support their chil- dren and to capture important moments. For many, these events are not just games but milestones-first goals, final seasons, and shared experi- ences that that families want to remember. The ability to take a photo or short video from the stands has long been a normal and expected part of that experience. In recent years, some youth sports organizations and facilities have adopted policies that restrict or discourage personal recording. In some cases, families have been told they cannot take photos or videos at all. In others, access to images or footage has been tied to the purchase of a professional media package, sometimes bundled into registration or event fees without clear notice. These practices can place families in a position where they must pay to capture ordinary moments or risk penal- ties for doing what has traditionally been allowed. This act responds to those changes by establishing a clear baseline: attendees at youth sports events may create personal media, and that activity cannot be restricted or penalized for commercial reasons. At the same time, it recognizes that youth sports settings require appro- priate safeguards. Organizations and facilities may continue to enforce reasonable rules to protect safety, preserve privacy, and maintain order, including limits in non-public areas such as locker rooms. The act also addresses the growing commercialization of youth sports media. Photography and streaming services can provide value, but fami- lies should not be required to purchase them or be misled about their cost. By requiring clear disclosure of pricing, optionality, and vendor relationships, the act ensures that families can make informed decisions without hidden fees or pressure. Importantly, the act preserves existing laws governing the use of a minor's image and allows organizations to require parental consent for official uses and to set reasonable rules for private or sensitive spac- es. It also excludes school-based athletic programs and Olympic and national governing body programs, where separate regulatory structures already apply. By setting clear, fair rules, this act preserves a common experience for families, prevents coercive or unclear practices, and provides consist- ency across youth sports programs in New York State.

This is the sponsor's own case for the bill, quoted from their memorandum. It is not Agora's description of what the bill does.