By: Lucio, Alvarado S.B. No. 776
      Zaffirini
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the creation of an inclusive sports program by the
  University Interscholastic League to provide students with
  intellectual disabilities access to team sports.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  This Act may be cited as Zariah's Law.
         SECTION 2.  Subchapter D, Chapter 33, Education Code, is
  amended by adding Section 33.097 to read as follows:
         Sec. 33.097.  INCLUSIVE SPORTS PROGRAM FOR STUDENTS WITH
  INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES. (a) The University Interscholastic
  League shall ensure students with intellectual disabilities have an
  opportunity to participate in team athletic activities by
  establishing and maintaining an inclusive sports program.
         (b)  The University Interscholastic League shall adopt rules
  as necessary to establish, maintain, and expand the inclusive
  sports program. The rules must:
               (1)  accommodate inclusive team sports offered through
  the program at participating public middle schools, junior high
  schools, and high schools in the state;
               (2)  establish eligibility requirements for
  participation in each inclusive team sport offered through the
  program;
               (3)  identify best practices for school districts to
  incorporate inclusive sports; and
               (4)  require the program to incorporate activities that
  promote:
                     (A)  bullying prevention;
                     (B)  moral intelligence;
                     (C)  character development;
                     (D)  leadership development;
                     (E)  physical fitness; and
                     (F)  positive school culture.
         (c)  In adopting the rules under Subsection (b), the
  University Interscholastic League shall consider and incorporate
  as appropriate:
               (1)  federal guidance regarding providing access to
  extracurricular athletics for students with intellectual
  disabilities;
               (2)  guidance available from nationally recognized
  organizations that promote inclusion and acceptance among students
  with and without intellectual disabilities;
               (3)  information regarding inclusive sports programs
  that have been successfully implemented in this state, in other
  states, and by nonprofit organizations;
               (4)  input from school districts and the agency; and
               (5)  guidance provided by impacted stakeholders,
  including by parents of or persons standing in parental relation to
  students with intellectual disabilities.
         (d)  The University Interscholastic League may appoint a
  person to provide guidance on behalf of impacted stakeholders for
  purposes of Subsection (c)(5).
         (e)  In maintaining the inclusive sports program, the
  University Interscholastic League shall, to the greatest extent
  possible, require:
               (1)  students who participate in the inclusive sports
  program to be subject to the same rules and requirements as students
  who participate in other athletic programs offered by the league,
  including:
                     (A)  grade and disciplinary requirements under
  Section 33.081(c); and
                     (B)  requirements related to student safety in
  athletic activities under this chapter and Chapter 38; and
               (2)  team sports provided through the inclusive sports
  program to be organized similarly to other athletic programs
  offered by the league, including with respect to team practices,
  seasonal play, and local and statewide competitions.
         (f)  In addition to using funds available or appropriated for
  the purpose, the University Interscholastic League or a partner
  affiliated with the league may seek and accept gifts, grants, or
  donations of money from public and private sources for the purpose
  of establishing or expanding the inclusive sports program.
         SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.