Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan signed the Jordan McNair Safe and Fair Play Act into law Tuesday, according to Michael McCann of Yahoo Sports.
Senate Bill 439 will allow student-athletes to profit from endorsements and sponsorships beginning July 1.
The act is named after the former Maryland offensive lineman who died in 2018 from heatstroke. State officials approved a $3.5-million settlement in January between the school and McNair's parents.
"This is a victorious day for Tonya and I, as Jordan's legacy continues to save lives as well as empower student-athletes' health and well-being at the higher-level educational institutions in the state of Maryland," Marty McNair said, according to ESPN's Heather Dinich. "I sincerely hope other states will follow suit to protect all of their student-athletes at the collegiate level of competition."
The new law will forbid Maryland public universities from enforcing any NCAA rule that prevents student-athletes from profiting from their names, images, and likenesses.
The act also mandates that universities assess and treat brain injuries, heat-related illnesses, and other serious conditions.
Maryland's new NIL law prohibits student-athletes from signing endorsements that conflict with a school's sponsorship and prevents them from advertising for third-party sponsors during official and mandatory team activities.
Maryland joins Florida, Georgia, Alabama, New Mexico, and Mississippi as states set to enforce NIL laws this summer.