80R9062 KKA-F
 
  By: Corte H.B. No. 2588
 
 
 
   
 
 
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 33.0831 to read as follows:
       Sec. 33.0831.  PARTICIPATION BY PRIVATE SCHOOL STUDENTS IN
UNIVERSITY INTERSCHOLASTIC LEAGUE ACTIVITIES. (a) In this section,
"private school" has the meaning assigned by Section 39.033(d).
       (b)  The University Interscholastic League may not deny a
school or its students the opportunity to participate in an
activity sponsored by the league or become a member of an
appropriate league district or otherwise discriminate against a
private school or its students if the private school:
             (1)  is accredited by an accrediting organization
recognized by the agency;
             (2)  offers a four-year high school curriculum;
             (3)  offers interscholastic competition;
             (4)  requires daily student attendance at a specific
location; and
             (5)  sought membership in another interscholastic
organization but was denied membership in that organization.
       (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 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 2A
level.
       SECTION 2.  This Act applies beginning with the 2007-2008
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, 2007.