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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to equal opportunity for access by private and parochial |
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school students to University Interscholastic League sponsored |
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activities. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter D, Chapter 33, Education Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 33.0832 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 33.0832. EQUAL OPPORTUNITY FOR ACCESS TO UNIVERSITY |
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INTERSCHOLASTIC LEAGUE ACTIVITIES. (a) In this section, "private |
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school" has the meaning assigned by Section 39.033(d). |
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(b) The University Interscholastic League shall provide |
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private and parochial schools with equal opportunity to become |
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members of the league for the purpose of providing their students |
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with access to league activities. |
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(c) This section does not exempt a private or parochial |
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school or its students from satisfying each rule or eligibility |
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requirement imposed by this subchapter or the league for |
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participating in an activity or league district sponsored by the |
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league. |
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(d) A private or parochial school seeking to participate in |
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a league activity or to become a member of a league district shall |
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apply to the league on a signed form prescribed by the league. The |
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school must certify its eligibility under this subchapter and |
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league rules in the application and must attach proof of |
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accreditation. The league may not impose eligibility requirements |
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for private or parochial schools that exceed the requirements of |
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this subchapter or league rules for public schools or require proof |
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of eligibility that exceeds the proof required of public schools. |
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On approval of an application, the league shall issue a certificate |
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of approval to the applicant school. The application and |
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certificate of approval are governmental records for purposes of |
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Section 37.10, Penal Code. |
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(e) The league shall determine the appropriate league |
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district in which an eligible private or parochial school will |
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participate using the same standard the league applies to public |
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schools, provided that the private or parochial school may not be |
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placed in a league district lower than the 1A level. |
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(f) The league may adopt rules designed to discourage an |
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eligible private or parochial school from recruiting any student to |
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attend the school for the purpose of participating in a league |
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activity. A rule adopted under this subsection may not be designed |
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to discriminate against an eligible private or parochial school. |
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(g) To be eligible under this section, a private or |
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parochial school must: |
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(1) be accredited by an accrediting organization |
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recognized by the agency; |
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(2) not have had its ability or eligibility to |
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participate in an association similar to the league compromised, |
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revoked, or suspended for violating the rules or codes of that |
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association within the five-year period preceding the date of |
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application to participate in the league; |
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(3) offer a four-year high school curriculum; |
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(4) offer interscholastic competition; and |
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(5) require daily student attendance at a specific |
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location. |
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(h) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, |
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the league shall implement this section by providing private and |
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parochial schools with equal opportunity to participate in: |
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(1) league academic activities beginning with the |
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2011-2012 school year; |
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(2) league athletic activities at the 1A and 2A league |
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district levels beginning with the spring semester of the 2011-2012 |
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school year; |
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(3) league athletic activities at the 3A league |
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district level beginning with the 2012-2013 school year; |
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(4) league athletic activities at the 4A league |
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district level beginning with the 2013-2014 school year; and |
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(5) league athletic activities at the 5A league |
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district level beginning with the 2014-2015 school year. |
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(i) Subsection (h) and this subsection expire September 1, |
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2015. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
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a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as |
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provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this |
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Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
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Act takes effect September 1, 2011. |