HB2395: Students, nonpublic school; participation in public school interscholastic programs, fees.

HOUSE BILL NO. 2395
Offered January 14, 2011
A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Chapter 1 of Title 22.1 a section numbered 22.1-7.1, relating to participation in public school interscholastic programs by nonpublic school students.
Patron-- Bell, Robert B.

Committee Referral Pending

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1.  That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding in Chapter 1 of Title 22.1 a section numbered 22.1-7.1 as follows:

§ 22.1-7.1. Participation in public school interscholastic programs by nonpublic school students; reasonable fees may be charged.

A. Any nonprofit corporation founded in Virginia in 1913 to organize and govern interscholastic programs among the public high schools shall, for the purposes of participation in such interscholastic programs, deem eligible a student who (i) is receiving home instruction pursuant to § 22.1-254.1, (ii) has demonstrated evidence of progress for two years in compliance with subsection C of § 22.1-254.1, (iii) is entitled to free tuition in a public school pursuant to § 22.1-3, (iv) has not reached the age of 19 by August 1 of the current school year, (v) is an amateur, who receives no compensation, but participates solely for the educational, physical, mental and social benefits of the activity, (vi) complies with all disciplinary rules applicable to all public high school athletes, (vii) and complies with all other rules governing awards, all-star games, parental consents, and physical examinations applicable to all high school athletes. Eligibility shall be limited to participation in interscholastic programs at the school serving the attendance zone in which such student lives. Eligible students shall meet such other eligibility and participation requirements as may be established to ensure competitive equity by the nonprofit corporation founded in Virginia in 1913 to organize and govern interscholastic programs among the public high schools.

B. Reasonable fees may be charged to such students to cover the costs of participation in such interscholastic programs.