HB 355

If a public school established under the jurisdiction of a local education agency (" LEA "") is a member of an organizatio n or an association that regulates interscholastic athletic competition, and if such organization or association establishes or maintains eligibility requirements for virtual school students to participate in interscholastic athletics at a member school, t hen this bill requires the LEA to permit participation in interscholastic athletics at the member schools by a virtual school student who satisfies the eligibility requirements established by the organization or association. If a public school establishe d under the jurisdiction of an LEA offers students the opportunity to participate in interscholastic athletic competition without the school being a member of an organization or an association that regulates interscholastic athletic competition, then this bill requires the LEA to permit participation in interscholastic athletics at such school by a virtual school student who is zoned and is otherwise eligible to attend the school. However, this bill does not guarantee that a virtual school student trying out for an interscholastic athletics team will make the team, nor does it supplant the authority of coaches or other school officials in deciding who makes the team. Additionally, this bill does not limit or supplant the authority of the organization or a ssociation to determine eligibility and to establish, modify, and enforce its rules and eligibility requirements, including those applicable to virtual school students."