By Armbrister S.B. No. 266 76R4471 BDH-D A BILL TO BE ENTITLED 1-1 AN ACT 1-2 relating to participation by private school students in University 1-3 Interscholastic League sponsored activities. 1-4 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: 1-5 SECTION 1. Subchapter D, Chapter 33, Education Code, is 1-6 amended by adding Section 33.086 to read as follows: 1-7 Sec. 33.086. PARTICIPATION IN UNIVERSITY INTERSCHOLASTIC 1-8 LEAGUE ACTIVITIES. (a) The University Interscholastic League may 1-9 not deny a school or its students the opportunity to participate in 1-10 an activity sponsored by the league or the opportunity to become a 1-11 member of an appropriate league district because the school is a 1-12 private school. 1-13 (b) This section does not exempt a private school or its 1-14 students from satisfying each eligibility requirement imposed by 1-15 this subchapter or the league for participating in an activity or 1-16 league district sponsored by the league. 1-17 (c) A private school seeking to participate in a league 1-18 activity or to become a member of a league district shall make 1-19 application to the league on a signed form prescribed by the 1-20 league. The private school shall certify its eligibility under 1-21 this subchapter and league rules in the application and shall 1-22 attach proof of accreditation. The league may not impose 1-23 eligibility requirements for private schools that exceed the 1-24 requirements of this subchapter or league rules for public schools 2-1 or require proof of eligibility that exceeds the proof required of 2-2 public schools. On approval of an application, the league shall 2-3 issue a certificate of approval to the applicant school. The 2-4 application and certificate of approval are governmental records 2-5 for purposes of Section 37.10, Penal Code. 2-6 (d) To be eligible under this section, a private school 2-7 must: 2-8 (1) be accredited by an accrediting organization 2-9 recognized by the Texas Education Agency; 2-10 (2) offer a four-year high school curriculum; 2-11 (3) offer interscholastic competition; and 2-12 (4) require daily student attendance at a specific 2-13 location. 2-14 SECTION 2. This Act applies beginning with the 1999-2000 2-15 school year. 2-16 SECTION 3. The importance of this legislation and the 2-17 crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an 2-18 emergency and an imperative public necessity that the 2-19 constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several 2-20 days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended, 2-21 and that this Act take effect and be in force from and after its 2-22 passage, and it is so enacted.