SCS/SB 875 - Under this act, school districts shall not receive funding under the foundation formula if such district develops a policy, or is a member of, or remits any funds to, any statewide activities association that prohibits a home school student or full-time equivalent virtual school student from participating in any event or activity offered by the school district, or requires a home school student or full-time equivalent virtual school student to attend the public school for any portion of a school day in order to participate in any event or activity. This provision shall not apply if a specific class is required for the participation and is directly related to the participation in an association activity, or in a club, extracurricular activity, or sport. The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education is required to withhold payments to districts in violation of this act until such district proves to the State Board of Education that the school district has ceased membership in the organization.
This act further provides that a statewide activities association shall not prohibit or restrict any school district that is a member of the association from participating in any events authorized or regulated by the association with any school that is not a member of the association.
This act is substantially similar to SCS/HC/HB 1540 (2020), HCS/SS/SCS/SB 528 (2020), HCS/HB 2273 (2020) and SB 130 (2019).
JOSIE BUTLER