South Carolina General Assembly

116th Session, 2005-2006

S. 638

STATUS INFORMATION

General Bill

Sponsors: Senators Campsen, Grooms, Leventis, Bryant, Fair, Hayes, Hawkins, Mescher and Ryberg

Document Path: l:\council\bills\pt\2473sj05.doc

Introduced in the Senate on March 17, 2005

Currently residing in the Senate

Summary: Equal Access to Interscholastic Activities Act

HISTORY OF LEGISLATIVE ACTIONS

DateBodyAction Description with journal page number

3/17/2005SenateIntroduced and read first time SJ4

3/17/2005SenateReferred to Committee on EducationSJ4

4/26/2005SenateCommittee report: Majority favorable, minority unfavorable EducationSJ9

4/27/2005Scrivener's error corrected

VERSIONS OF THIS BILL

3/17/2005

4/26/2005

4/27/2005

COMMITTEE REPORT

April 26, 2005

S.638

Introduced by Senators Campsen, Grooms, Leventis, Bryant, Fair, Hayes and Hawkins

S. Printed 4/26/05--S.[SEC 4/27/05 3:18 PM]

Read the first time March 17, 2005.

THE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

To whom was referred a Bill (S.638) to amend the Code of Laws of South Carolina, 1976, to enact the “Equal Access to Interscholastic Activities Act” by adding Section 596549 so as, etc., respectfully

REPORT:

That they have duly and carefully considered the same and recommend that the same do pass:

Majority favorable.Minority unfavorable.

JOHN E. COURSONJOHN W. MATTHEWS, JR.

KAY PATTERSON

For Majority.For Minority.

[638-1]

A BILL

TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, TO ENACT THE “EQUAL ACCESS TO INTERSCHOLASTIC ACTIVITIES ACT” BY ADDING SECTION 596549 SO AS TO PERMIT HOME SCHOOL STUDENTS TO PARTICIPATE IN INTERSCHOLASTIC ACTIVITIES OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICT IN WHICH THE STUDENT RESIDES PURSUANT TO CERTAIN CONDITIONS.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

SECTION1.This act may be cited as the “Equal Access to Interscholastic Activities Act”.

SECTION2.Article 1, Chapter 65, Title 59 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:

“Section 596549.(A)As used in this section:

(1)‘Home school students’ are those children taught in accordance with Section 596540, Section 596545, or Section 596547.

(2)‘Interscholastic activities’ includes, but is not limited to, athletics, music, speech, and other extracurricular activities.

(B)Home school students may not be denied by a school district the opportunity to participate in interscholastic activities if:

(1)the student’s home schooling program is in compliance with Section 596540, Section 596545, or Section 596547;

(2)the student meets all school district eligibility requirements with the exception of:

(a)the school district’s school or class attendance requirements; and

(b)the class and enrollment requirements of the associations administering interscholastic activities;

(3)the home schooling parentteacher must certify by submitting an affidavit to the school district that the student being taught is in full compliance with the current South Carolina home school law;

(4)the home school student participating in interscholastic activities resides within the attendance boundaries of the school for which the student participates; and

(5)the home school student notifies the superintendent of the school district in writing of his intent to participate in the interscholastic activity as a representative of the school before the beginning date of the season for the activity in which he wishes to participate.

(C)In addition to the requirements in subsection (B):

(1)a public school student who has been unable to maintain academic eligibility is ineligible to participate in interscholastic activities as a home school student for the following semester. To establish academic eligibility for subsequent school years, the student must meet the standards described in item (3) of this subsection to become eligible for next semester; and

(2)the home school student is required to fulfill the same responsibilities and standards of behavior and performance, including related practice requirements, of other students participating in the interscholastic activities of the team or squad and is required to meet the same standards for acceptance on the team or squad.

(D)A school district may not contract with a private entity that supervises interscholastic activities if the private entity prohibits the participation of home school students in interscholastic activities.”

SECTION3.This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.

XX

[638]1