81R4157 KKA-D
 
  By: Corte H.B. No. 1829
 
 
 
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 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 become a member of the
  league or otherwise discriminate against a school or its students
  because the school is a private school.
         (c)  This section does not exempt a private school or its
  students from satisfying each rule or eligibility requirement
  imposed by this subchapter or the league for participating in an
  activity or league district sponsored by the league.
         (d)  A private school seeking to participate in a league
  activity or to become a member of a league district shall 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.
         (e)  To determine the appropriate 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 4A level.
         (f)  For each league activity in which competition results in
  a state championship or state-level award, the league shall
  structure the competition by dividing the competitors at an
  appropriate point in the competition into public school and private
  school brackets or divisions so that at each relevant level of
  competition a public school is designated as public school champion
  or award recipient and a private school is designated as private
  school champion or award recipient.
         (g)  The league may adopt rules designed to discourage an
  eligible private school from recruiting any student to attend the
  school for the purpose of participating in a league activity.  A
  rule adopted under this subsection may not be designed to
  discriminate against an eligible private school.
         (h)  To be eligible under this section, a private school
  must:
               (1)  be accredited by an accrediting organization
  recognized by the agency;
               (2)  not have had its ability or eligibility to
  participate in an association similar to the league compromised,
  revoked, or suspended for violating the rules or codes of that
  association;
               (3)  offer a four-year high school curriculum;
               (4)  offer interscholastic competition; and
               (5)  require daily student attendance at a specific
  location.
         SECTION 2.  This Act applies beginning with the 2010-2011
  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, 2009.