78R2484 BDH-D
By: Hochberg H.B. No. 332
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to participation by private school students in University
Interscholastic League sponsored activities.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter D, Chapter 33, Education Code, is
amended by adding Section 33.087 to read as follows:
Sec. 33.087. PARTICIPATION BY PRIVATE SCHOOL STUDENTS IN
UNIVERSITY INTERSCHOLASTIC LEAGUE ACTIVITIES. (a) The University
Interscholastic League may not deny a school or its students the
opportunity to participate in an activity sponsored by the league
or the opportunity to become a member of an appropriate league
district because the school is a private school.
(b) This section does not exempt a private school or its
students from satisfying each eligibility requirement imposed by
this subchapter or the University Interscholastic League for
participating in an activity or league district sponsored by the
league.
(c) A private school seeking to participate in a University
Interscholastic League activity or to become a member of a league
district must apply to the league on a signed form prescribed by the
league. The private school must certify its eligibility under this
subchapter and league rules in the application and must attach
proof of accreditation. The league may not impose eligibility
requirements for private schools that exceed the requirements of
this subchapter or league rules for public schools or require proof
of eligibility that exceeds the proof required of public schools.
On approval of an application, the league shall issue a certificate
of approval to the applicant school. The application and
certificate of approval are governmental records for purposes of
Section 37.10, Penal Code.
(d) To determine the appropriate University Interscholastic
League district in which an eligible private school with a single
sex student enrollment will participate, the league must multiply
the private school's enrollment by two and place the private school
in an appropriate league district based on that enrollment figure,
provided that the private school is placed in a league district not
lower than the 3A level.
(e) For purposes of determining the eligibility of a student
to participate in a University Interscholastic League activity, the
attendance zone for an eligible private school is the geographic
area of the public school district in which the private school is
located.
(f) To be eligible under this section, a private school
must:
(1) be accredited by an accrediting organization
recognized by the Texas Education Agency;
(2) offer a four-year high school curriculum;
(3) offer interscholastic competition;
(4) require daily student attendance at a specific
location; and
(5) have an enrollment of not less than 500 students.
SECTION 2. This Act applies beginning with the 2003-2004
school year.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect September 1, 2003.