By: Taylor of Collin, et al. S.B. No. 2046
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to equal opportunity for access by home-schooled students
  to University Interscholastic League-sponsored activities;
  authorizing a fee.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subchapter D, Chapter 33, Education Code, is
  amended by adding Section 33.0833 to read as follows:
         Sec. 33.0833.  EQUAL OPPORTUNITY FOR HOME-SCHOOLED STUDENTS
  TO PARTICIPATE IN UNIVERSITY INTERSCHOLASTIC LEAGUE ACTIVITIES.
  (a)  In this section, "home-schooled student" has the meaning
  assigned by Section 29.916.
         (b)  Except as provided by Subsection (g), a public school
  that participates in an activity sponsored by the University
  Interscholastic League shall provide a home-schooled student who
  otherwise meets league eligibility standards to represent that
  school in a league activity with the opportunity to participate in
  the activity on behalf of the school in the same manner that the
  school provides the opportunity to participate to students enrolled
  in the school.
         (c)  A home-schooled student who seeks to participate or who
  participates in a league activity on behalf of a school is subject
  to the following relevant policies that apply to students enrolled
  in the school:  policies regarding registration, age eligibility,
  fees, insurance, transportation, physical condition,
  qualifications, responsibilities, event schedules, standards of
  behavior, and performance.
         (d)  The parent or legal guardian of a home-schooled student
  is responsible for oversight of academic standards relating to the
  student's participation in a league activity. As a condition of
  eligibility to participate in a league activity during the first
  six weeks of a school year, a home-schooled student must
  demonstrate grade-level academic proficiency on any nationally
  recognized, norm-referenced assessment instrument, including the
  Iowa Test of Basic Skills, Stanford Achievement Test, California
  Achievement Test, and Comprehensive Test of Basic Skills. A
  home-schooled student demonstrates the required academic
  proficiency by achieving a composite, core, or survey score that is
  within the average or higher than average range of scores, as
  established by the applicable testing service. For purposes of
  this subsection, a school district shall accept assessment results
  administered or reported by a third party.
         (e)  A home-schooled student's demonstration of academic
  proficiency under Subsection (d) is sufficient for purposes of that
  subsection for the school year in which the student achieves the
  required score and the subsequent school year.
         (f)  After the first six weeks of a school year, the parent or
  legal guardian of a home-schooled student participating in a league
  activity on behalf of a public school must periodically, in
  accordance with the school's grading calendar, provide written
  verification to the school indicating that the student is receiving
  a passing grade in each course or subject being taught.
         (g)  A home-schooled student is not authorized by this
  section to participate in a league activity during the remainder of
  any school year during which the student was previously enrolled in
  a public school.
         (h)  The University Interscholastic League may not prohibit
  a home-schooled student from participating in league activities in
  the manner authorized by this section.
         SECTION 2.  This Act applies beginning with the 2015-2016
  school year.
         SECTION 3.  Except as otherwise provided by this Act:
               (1)  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; and
               (2)  if this Act does not receive the vote necessary for
  immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2015.