AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
The University Interscholastic League (UIL) is the leadership organization in Texas which provides inter-school educational extracurricular academic, athletic, and music competition for schools. UIL membership is primarily given only to public schools, with the exception of two Jesuit college preparatory schools. Private and parochial schools are able to join a private and parochial school organization for similar academic, athletic, and music competitions. However, many private and parochial schools seek admission to UIL because of the additional competitive opportunities available through UIL. In addition, private schools located in rural parts of the state have to travel great distances to participate in competitions with other private schools.
C.S.S.B. 1214 seeks to allow private schools to apply for and obtain membership with UIL. UIL would phase in the addition of private schools over a period of five years, allowing the smallest schools to join first until all schools were incorporated.
C.S.S.B. 1214 amends current law relating to equal opportunity for access by private and parochial school students to UIL sponsored activities.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Subchapter D, Chapter 33, Education Code, by adding Section 33.0832, as follows:
Sec. 33.0832. EQUAL OPPORTUNITY FOR ACCESS TO UNIVERSITY INTERSCHOLASTIC LEAGUE ACTIVITIES. (a) Defines, in this section, "private school."
(b) Requires the University Interscholastic League (UIL) to provide private and parochial schools with equal opportunity to become members of UIL for the purpose of providing their students with access to league activities.
(c) Provides that this section does not exempt a private or parochial school or its students from satisfying each rule or eligibility requirement imposed by this subchapter or UIL for participating in an activity or UIL district sponsored by UIL.
(d) Requires a private or parochial school seeking to participate in a UIL activity or to become a member of a UIL district to apply to the league on a signed form prescribed by UIL. Requires the school to certify its eligibility under this subchapter and UIL rules in the application and attach proof of accreditation. Prohibits UIL from imposing eligibility requirements for private or parochial schools that exceed the requirements of this subchapter or UIL rules for public schools or require proof of eligibility that exceeds the proof required of public schools. Requires UIL, on approval of an application, to issue a certificate of approval to the applicant school. Provides that the application and certificate of approval are governmental records for purposes of Section 37.10 (Tampering with Governmental Record), Penal Code.
(e) Requires UIL to determine the appropriate UIL district in which an eligible private or parochial school will participate using the same standard the league applies to public schools, provided that the private or parochial school may not be placed in a UIL district lower than the 1A level.
(f) Requires UIL to adopt rules that prohibit an eligible private or parochial school from recruiting any student to attend the school for the purpose of participating in a UIL activity. Prohibits a rule adopted under this subsection from discriminating against an eligible private or parochial school.
(g) Requires a private or parochial school, to be eligible under this section, to:
(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 UIL compromised, revoked, or suspended for violating the rules or codes of that association within the five-year period preceding the date of application to participate in UIL;
(3) offer a four-year high school curriculum;
(4) offer interscholastic competition; and
(5) require daily student attendance at a specific location.
(h) Provides that nothing in this section affects the right of a private school participating in league activities during the 2010-2011 school year to continue participating in league activities in subsequent school years in a manner comparable to the school's participation during the 2010-2011 school year.
(i) Requires UIL, notwithstanding any other provision of this section, but subject to Subsection (h), to implement this section by providing private and parochial schools with equal opportunity to participate in:
(1) UIL academic activities beginning with the 2011-2012 school year;
(2) UIL athletic activities at the 1A and 2A UIL district levels beginning with the spring semester of the 2011-2012 school year;
(3) UIL athletic activities at the 3A UIL district level beginning with the 2012-2013 school year;
(4) UIL athletic activities at the 4A UIL district level beginning with the 2013-2014 school year; and
(5) UIL athletic activities at the 5A UIL district level beginning with the 2014-2015 school year.
(j) Provides that Subsection (i) and this subsection expire September 1, 2015.
SECTION 2. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2011.