24 LC 49 1921S The Senate Committee on Education and Youth offered the following substitute to HB 1104: A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT To amend Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to education, so as to1 provide for notification to parents and legal guardians of public school students of the right2 to receive email notification each time their child obtains school library materials; to identify3 materials that are subject to the complaint resolution policy for materials "harmful to4 minors," as set forth in Code Section 20-2-324.6; to provide for definitions; to repeal Code5 Section 20-2-720, relating to inspection of students' records by parents, for purposes of6 conformity; to prohibit sex education for public school students in this state before sixth7 grade; to provide that no public school or local school system shall be required to provide sex8 education; to require revocable written consent from parents or guardians of students before9 any sex education is provided; to require governing bodies of public schools and local school10 systems to afford parents and guardians of all students and the public opportunity to review11 and to provide comment on proposed sex education curricula before approval by such body;12 to require the State Board of Education to approve age- and grade-appropriate content13 standards for sex education curricula; to provide for definitions; to provide for construction;14 to revise the "Parents Bill of Rights" to provide for parents to revocably opt-in to sex15 education for their children; to authorize Georgia public schools to operate or facilitate16 separate teams for members of each gender where selection for such teams is based upon17 competitive fairness or student safety; to provide that it shall be unlawful for Georgia public18 - 1 - 24 LC 49 1921S schools or participating private schools whose students or teams compete against a Georgia19 public school to operate, sponsor, or facilitate athletic programs or activities that permit any20 person whose sex is male but whose gender identity is female to participate in any21 interscholastic athletics that are designated for females or permit persons of one gender to22 use certain facilities designated for persons of the opposite gender in conjunction with23 interscholastic athletics; to provide for a grievance procedure; to provide for private rights24 of action and awards of attorney fees; to repeal a grant of discretionary authority to athletic25 association executive oversight committees; to provide for legislative findings and intent; to26 provide for state charter schools to hire employees of education service providers; to provide27 for the ability of governing boards to dismiss such employees; to provide for governing28 boards' responsibility for such employees' actions; to address mental health risks for student29 athletes; to provide for guidelines and other relevant materials to inform and educate public30 school student athletes, their parents or guardians, school personnel, and coaches about31 suicide risk and prevention for student athletes and raising awareness of suicide risk and32 prevention resources available to student athletes; to provide for definitions; to require annual33 review by coaches; to provide for definitions; to provide for related matters; to repeal34 conflicting laws; and for other purposes.35 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:36 PART I37 SECTION 1-1.38 Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to education, is amended in39 Chapter 1, relating to general provisions regarding education, by adding a new Code section40 to read as follows:41 - 2 - 24 LC 49 1921S "20-1-12.42 (a) As used in this Code section, the term 'parent' means a person who has legal authority43 to act on behalf of a school-age child as a natural or adoptive parent or a legal guardian.44 (b) Each local board of education or other public school governing body shall establish45 policies and procedures to ensure that, by the start of each school year for currently46 enrolled students or at any time during the school year upon the enrollment of a new47 student, a parent of each student enrolled in public school shall be notified in writing of the48 option to receive an email notification each time such student obtains material from a49 library operated by the public school where the student is enrolled. For each parent who50 elects to receive such email notifications, the public school where the student is enrolled51 shall notify the parent by email each time the student obtains school library material, and52 such email notice shall include, as applicable, the title, author, genre, and return date of the53 school library material."54 SECTION 1-2.55 Said title is further amended in Part 15 of Article 6 of Chapter 2, relating to miscellaneous56 provisions under the "Quality Basic Education Act," by adding a new subsection to Code57 Section 20-2-324.6, relating to complaint resolution policy for materials "harmful to minors,"58 to read as follows:59 "(d) This Code section shall apply to any written or electronic materials made available to60 students in a public school, including classroom materials, school library materials, or any61 materials made available to a public school student as part of an extracurricular activity62 offered or supervised by the public school."63 - 3 - 24 LC 49 1921S SECTION 1-3.64 Said title is further amended in Article 15 of Chapter 2, relating to student data privacy,65 accessibility, and transparency, by revising paragraph (4) and adding a new paragraph to66 Code Section 20-2-662, relating to definitions, to read as follows:67 "(4) 'Education record' means an education record as defined in the Family Educational68 Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and its implementing regulations, 20 U.S.C. Section69 1232g; and 34 C.F.R. Part 99.3. Such term includes, without limitation, attendance70 reports and records; test scores, grades, disciplinary records, counseling records, and71 psychological records; applications for admission; health and immunization information;72 student evaluations by teachers and school counselors; reports of behavioral patterns;73 records relating to assistance provided for learning difficulties, including information74 collected regarding any intervention strategies used with the student; and records relating75 to any written or electronic materials made available to students enrolled in a public76 school, including classroom materials, school library materials, or any materials made77 available to a student as part of an extracurricular activity offered or supervised by the78 public school. Such term An education record does not include the types of student data79 excepted in FERPA, does not include student data collected by an operator when it is80 used for internal operations purposes, does not include or student data that is not81 formatted for or expected to be accessed by school, local board of education, or82 department employees, nor does it include student data that a local board of education83 determines cannot reasonably be made available to the parent or eligible student."84 "(8.1) 'Parent' means a person who has legal authority to act on behalf of a school-age85 child as a natural or adoptive parent or a legal guardian."86 - 4 - 24 LC 49 1921S SECTION 1-4.87 Said title is further amended in Part 1 of Article 16 of Chapter 2, relating to school88 attendance, by repealing Subpart 3, relating to records, and Code Section 20-2-720, relating89 to inspection of students' records by parents.90 PART II91 SECTION 2-1.92 Said title is further amended in Part 2 of Article 6 of Chapter 2, relating to competencies and93 core curriculum under the "Quality Basic Education Act," by repealing Code Section94 20-2-143, relating to sex education and AIDS prevention instruction, implementation, and95 student exemption, and enacting a new Code section to read as follows:96 "20-2-143.97 (a) This Code section shall be known and may be cited as the 'No Indoctrinating Children98 in Elementary (NICE) Act.'99 (b) As used in this Code section, the term:100 (1) 'Sex' means the biological state of being male or female, in the context of101 reproductive potential or capacity, based on the individual's sex organs, chromosomes,102 naturally occurring sex hormones, gonads, and internal and external genitalia present at103 birth, including secondary sex characteristics. An individual's sex can be observed or104 clinically verified at or before birth.105 (2) 'Sex education' includes any curricula or instruction that has the goal or purpose of106 studying, exploring, or informing students about human reproduction, human sexuality,107 sexual conduct, an internal or deeply felt sense of the student's sex, or sexual attraction108 to one or more persons.109 (c)(1) No public school or local school system shall provide sex education before the110 sixth grade.111 - 5 - 24 LC 49 1921S (2) No public school or local school system shall be required to provide sex education.112 (d) Before a public school or local school system provides sex education to any student:113 (1) The public school or local school system shall make the sex education curricula114 available to parents and guardians of all students and the public for review online and in115 person as provided in subsection (e) of this Code section; and116 (2) Such student's parent or guardian shall provide revocable written consent for his or117 her child to receive sex education.118 (e)(1) Beginning in the 2024-2025 school year and continuing each school year119 thereafter, before a public school or local school system offers sex education to any120 students, the governing body of such public school or local school system shall review121 and approve the sex education curricula based on content standards prescribed by the122 State Board of Education pursuant to subsection (g) of this Code section; provided,123 however, that such governing body shall not approve any sex education curricula without124 providing parents and guardians of all students and the public with a meaningful125 opportunity to review and to provide input on any proposed sex education curricula, as126 provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, before such curricula is approved by such127 governing body.128 (2) Before approving any sex education curricula, the governing body of each public129 school or local school system shall:130 (A) Require that all meetings of such governing body, or any committee or131 subcommittee thereof, that are authorized for the purposes of reviewing and approving132 a sex education curricula be publicly noticed at least two weeks before occurring and133 be open to the public pursuant to Chapter 14 of Title 50;134 (B) Make any proposed sex education curricula available and accessible for review and135 public comment, including, but not limited to, written comments, oral comments, and136 comments submitted through email, for at least 45 days before approval of any such sex137 education curricula by such governing body; and138 - 6 - 24 LC 49 1921S (C) Conduct at least two public hearings within the 45 day review period provided for139 in subparagraph (B) of this paragraph.140 (f) At least two weeks before any sex education is offered by a public school or local141 school system pursuant to this Code section, each such public school or local school system142 shall make the sex education curricula approved by the governing body of such public143 school or local school system as provided in subsection (e) of this Code section available144 for meaningful review by parents and guardians of all students and the public.145 (g) By July 1, 2024, the State Board of Education shall adopt age- and grade-appropriate146 content standards for sex education curricula for students in grades six through 12.147 (h) Nothing in this Code section shall be construed to prohibit age- and grade-appropriate148 classroom instruction regarding:149 (1) Child abuse and assault awareness and prevention; and150 (2) Menstruation."151 SECTION 2-2.152 Said title is further amended in Subpart 1 of Part 6 of Article 6 of Chapter 2, relating to153 certificated professional personnel, by revising subsection (b) of Code Section 20-2-201,154 relating to specific course requirements, in-service or continuing education, and online155 offerings, as follows:156 "(b) Each local unit of administration shall be required to provide all professional157 personnel certificated by the Professional Standards Commission 12 clock hours of158 in-service or continuing education in each calendar year, or meet requirements of the159 Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. Such in-service programs shall be160 developed by the local unit of administration in conjunction with such agencies as regional161 educational service agencies, colleges and universities, and other appropriate organizations. 162 These programs shall be designed to address identified needs determined by appropriate163 personnel evaluation instruments. These programs shall also focus on improving the skills164 - 7 - 24 LC 49 1921S of certificated personnel that directly relate to improving student achievement, as reflected165 in the revised certification renewal rules established by the Professional Standards166 Commission pursuant to paragraph (4.1) of subsection (b) of Code Section 20-2-200167 regarding the impact of professional learning on student achievement. These programs168 shall also include in-service training programs on sexual abuse and assault awareness and169 prevention for professional personnel who will be providing instruction in annual170 age-appropriate sexual abuse and assault awareness and prevention education in171 kindergarten through grade nine pursuant to subsection (b) of Code Section 20-2-143.172 Records of attendance shall be maintained by local units of administration and shall be173 monitored by appropriate Department of Education staff."174 SECTION 2-3.175 Said title is further amended in Part 5 of Article 16 of Chapter 2, relating to review of176 removal, by revising paragraph (3) of subsection (f) of Code Section 20-2-786, the "Parents'177 Bill of Rights," as follows:178 "(3)(A) Procedures which comply with the provisions of Code Section 20-2-143 for a179 parent to provide revocable written consent for his or her minor child to receive sex180 education; and181 (B) Procedures for a parent to withdraw or otherwise revoke his or her written consent182 for his or her minor child from the school's prescribed course of study in to receive sex183 education if the parent provides a written objection to his or her minor child's184 participation. Such procedures must provide for a parent to be notified in advance of185 such course content so that he or she may withdraw his or her minor child from the186 course; and"187 - 8 - 24 LC 49 1921S PART III188 SECTION 3-1.189 The General Assembly recognizes there are inherent physical differences between males and190 females. The General Assembly further recognizes that decisions regarding the regulation191 of sports should be based on promoting integrity and safety. The General Assembly finds192 that protecting students from harm and preserving the competitive fairness of sports are193 important state interests. It is the intent of the General Assembly to ensure that students have194 equal and safe opportunities to succeed in sports.195 SECTION 3-2.196 Said title is further amended in Part 14 of Article 6 of Chapter 2, relating to other educational197 programs under the "Quality Basic Education Act," by revising Code Section 20-2-315,198 relating to gender discrimination prohibited, authorized separate gender teams, equal athletic199 opportunity, physical education classes, employee designated to monitor compliance,200 grievance procedures, and reporting requirements, as follows:201 "(a) As used in this Code section, the term:202 (1) 'Gender identity' means a person's self-perceived, asserted, or claimed gender203 regardless of the person's sex.204 (2) 'Multiple occupancy restroom or changing area' means an area in a local school205 system, public school, or participating private school building that is designed or206 designated to be used by one or more individuals at the same time and in which one or207 more individuals may be in various stages of undress in the presence of other individuals.208 Such term includes, but shall not be limited to, the following:209 (A) Restrooms;210 (B) Locker rooms;211 (C) Changing rooms; and212 - 9 - 24 LC 49 1921S (D) Shower facilities.213 (3) 'Participating private school' means a private school in this state whose students or214 teams compete against students or teams from a public school or local school system in215 this state.216 (4) 'Sex' means a person's biological sex which shall be recognized solely based on a217 person's reproductive biology and genetics at birth. For purposes of this subsection, a218 statement of a student's biological sex on the student's official birth certificate shall be219 deemed to have correctly stated the student's biological sex at birth if the statement was220 included on such birth certificate at or near the time of the student's birth. 'Participating221 private school' means a private school in this state whose students or teams compete222 against students or teams from a public school or local school system in this state.223 (b) No student shall, on the basis of gender sex, be excluded from participation in, be224 denied the benefits of, be treated differently from another student, or otherwise be225 discriminated against in any interscholastic or intramural athletics offered by a local school226 system, and no local school system shall provide any such athletics separately on such227 basis.228 (b)(c) Notwithstanding the requirements of subsection (a) of this Code section, a A local229 school system may operate or sponsor separate teams for members of each gender sex230 where selection for such teams is based upon competitive skill, competitive fairness,231 student safety, or the activity involved is a contact sport. However, where a local school232 system operates or sponsors a team in a particular sport for members of one gender sex but233 operates or sponsors no such team for members of the other gender sex, and athletic234 opportunities for members of that gender sex in that particular sport have previously been235 limited, members of the excluded gender sex must be allowed to try out for the team236 offered unless the sport involved is a contact sport. Nothing in this subsection shall be237 construed to limit the authority of a local school system to operate or sponsor a single team238 for a contact sport that includes members of both genders sexes. As used in this239 - 10 - 24 LC 49 1921S subsection, the term 'contact sport' includes boxing, wrestling, rugby, ice hockey, football,240 basketball, and any other sport the purpose or major activity of which involves bodily241 contact.242 (c)(d) A local school system which operates or sponsors interscholastic or intramural243 athletics shall undertake all reasonable efforts to provide equal athletic opportunity for244 members of both genders sexes. In determining whether equal opportunities are available245 the following factors shall be considered:246 (1) Whether the selection of sports and levels of competition effectively accommodate247 the interests and abilities of members of both genders sexes;248 (2) The provision of equipment and supplies;249 (3) Scheduling of games and practice time;250 (4) Travel allowance;251 (5) Opportunity to receive coaching and academic tutoring;252 (6) Assignment and compensation of coaches and tutors;253 (7) Provision of locker rooms and practice and competitive facilities;254 (8) Provision of medical and training facilities and services; and255 (9) Publicity.256 Unequal aggregate expenditures for members of each gender sex or unequal expenditures257 for male and female teams if a local school system operates or sponsors separate teams will258 not constitute noncompliance with this subsection, but the failure to provide essential funds259 for the basic operations of teams for one gender sex may be considered in assessing260 equality of opportunity for members of each gender sex. Nothing in Code Section261 20-2-411 shall be construed to limit the authority of a local school system to expend school262 tax funds as authorized by Article VIII, Section VI, Paragraph I(b) of the Constitution in263 order to comply with the requirements of this Code section.264 (d)(e) A local school system may provide separate toilet, locker room, and shower facilities265 multiple occupancy restroom or changing areas on the basis of gender sex, but such266 - 11 - 24 LC 49 1921S facilities shall be comparable to such facilities provided for students of the other gender267 sex.268 (e)(f) This Code section does not prohibit the grouping of students in physical education269 classes by gender sex.270 (f)(g)(1) Subject to the provisions of paragraph (3) of this subsection, if a local school271 system sponsors an athletic activity or sport at a particular school that is similar to a sport272 for which an institution in the University System of Georgia offers an athletic273 scholarship, it must sponsor the athletic activity or sport for which a scholarship is274 offered at that school. This paragraph does not affect academic requirements for275 participation nor prevent the local school system from sponsoring activities in addition276 to those for which scholarships are provided.277 (2) Two athletic activities or sports that are similar may be offered simultaneously.278 (3) If a local school system demonstrates by a bona fide survey of eligible students at the279 school, which is approved by the Department of Education for compliance with generally280 accepted opinion survey principles regarding neutral wording and other matters, that there281 is insufficient interest among students at the school to field a team described in paragraph282 (1) of this subsection, then the local school system shall not be required to sponsor such283 athletic activity or sport at that school. The exemption provided for by this paragraph284 shall be valid for 24 months following the date when the most recent bona fide student285 survey demonstrating a lack of student interest was completed, unless a new bona fide286 student survey is conducted within the 24 month period that demonstrates sufficient287 interest to field a team. If such a new bona fide student survey demonstrates such288 sufficient interest, then the local school system must comply with paragraph (1) of this289 subsection during the local school system's next fiscal year and until such time as a new290 bona fide student survey demonstrates insufficient interest to field a team described in291 paragraph (1) of this subsection. A local school system shall conduct the bona fide292 student survey described in this paragraph regarding interest in a team described in293 - 12 - 24 LC 49 1921S paragraph (1) of this subsection upon the request of nine students at the school, but no294 more frequently than once every 12 months.295 (4) Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to preclude the application of generally296 applicable policies or rules regarding the cancellation of an athletic activity or sport due297 to lack of student participation in scheduled practices or contests.298 (g)(h) Each local school system shall designate at least one employee to coordinate its299 efforts to comply with and carry out its responsibilities under this Code section, including300 the investigation of any complaint communicated to such local school system alleging its301 noncompliance with this Code section. The employee designated under this subsection302 may be the same person required to be designated under 34 C.F.R. Section 106.8. The303 local school system annually shall notify all its students of the name, office address, and304 office telephone number of the employee or employees appointed pursuant to this305 subsection. Such notification may be included in a student handbook distributed pursuant306 to Code Section 20-2-736.307 (h)(i) Each local school system shall adopt and publish grievance procedures providing for308 prompt and equitable resolution of written student complaints, including complaints309 brought by a parent or guardian on behalf of his or her minor child who is a student,310 alleging any action which would be a violation of this Code section. Such procedures shall311 require that:312 (1) The employee designated under subsection (g)(h) of this Code section shall render313 his or her decision in writing no later than 30 days after receipt of the complaint, and such314 decision shall set forth the essential facts and rationale for the decision;315 (2) A copy of such decision shall be provided to the complainant within five days of the316 date of the decision; and317 (3) A complainant shall have a right to appeal such decision to the local board within 35318 days of the date of the decision.319 - 13 - 24 LC 49 1921S (i)(j)(1) A complainant may appeal a decision of a local board that is rendered under320 subsection (h)(i) of this Code section in accordance with the procedures specified in Code321 Section 20-2-1160. If the State Board of Education determines that a local school system322 has failed to comply with this Code section, then the state board shall provide the local323 school system with opportunities to prepare a corrective plan. If the state board324 determines that a corrective plan of the local school system adequately plans and provides325 for future compliance with this Code section, then the state board shall approve the plan326 and direct the local school system to implement such plan.327 (2) If, upon a complaint filed pursuant to subsection (h)(i) of this Code section after one328 year following the date of a state board order directing implementation of a corrective329 plan pursuant to paragraph (1) of this subsection but within four years of the date of such330 order, the state board determines that the local school system which was subject to such331 order has willfully failed to comply with this Code section, the state board may, after332 consideration of the local school system's efforts to implement the corrective plan333 approved in the earlier proceeding and of any other corrective plan that may be submitted334 by the local school system, transmit a certification of such determination to the335 Department of Community Affairs. If the state board's determination of noncompliance336 is later reversed or vacated upon appeal, the state board shall immediately notify the337 Department of Community Affairs of such action.338 (3) If, upon a complaint filed pursuant to subsection (h)(i) of this Code section after one339 year following the date of a state board certification to the Department of Community340 Affairs pursuant to paragraph (2) of this subsection but within four years of the date of341 such order, the state board determines that the local school system which was subject to342 such order has willfully failed to comply with this Code section, the state board may,343 after consideration of the local school system's efforts to implement a corrective plan344 approved in an earlier proceeding and of any other corrective plan that may be submitted345 by the local school system, order that a team or teams within the local school system or346 - 14 - 24 LC 49 1921S school within the local school system shall not participate in interscholastic postseason347 athletic contests and that participation in violation of such an order may result in348 withholding of state funds allotted pursuant to Code Section 20-2-186. An order of the349 state board barring participation in interscholastic postseason athletic contests shall be350 made and announced before the beginning of a school year.351 (4) If, upon a complaint filed pursuant to subsection (h)(i) of this Code section after one352 year following the date of a state board order prohibiting participation in interscholastic353 postseason athletic contests pursuant to paragraph (3) of this subsection but within four354 years of the date of such order, the state board determines that the local school system355 which was subject to such order has willfully failed to comply with this Code section, the356 state board may, after consideration of the local school system's efforts to implement a357 corrective plan approved in an earlier proceeding and of any other corrective plan that358 may be submitted by the local school system, withhold state funds that are allotted359 pursuant to Code Section 20-2-186 in an amount that the state board determines is360 sufficient to secure the local school system's compliance with this Code section. In the361 event that state funds are withheld pursuant to this paragraph, such funds shall later be362 allotted to the local school system at such time as the state board determines that the local363 school system is in compliance with this Code section.364 (j)(k) The Department of Education may publish an annual report of local school systems365 to include information regarding expenditures and participation rates for each gender sex366 and such other information as the state board and department deem relevant.367 (l)(1) No local school system, public school, or participating private school in this state368 shall operate interscholastic athletics that permit a person whose sex is male but whose369 gender identity is female to participate in any interscholastic athletics that are designated370 for females.371 (2)(A) No local school system, public school, or participating private school in this372 state shall operate interscholastic athletics that permit a person whose sex is male to use373 - 15 - 24 LC 49 1921S any multiple occupancy restroom or changing area designated for females in374 conjunction with any interscholastic athletics.375 (B) No local public school system, local public school, or participating private school376 in this state shall operate interscholastic athletics that permit a person whose sex is377 female to use any multiple occupancy restroom or changing area designated for males378 in conjunction with any interscholastic athletics.379 (3) A student who is aggrieved by an alleged violation or anticipated violation of this380 subsection or his or her parent or guardian shall have a right to file a grievance complaint381 with the employee designated in subsection (h) of this Code section for an immediate382 preliminary determination of whether a violation of this subsection exists or is about to383 occur. If an alleged violation or anticipated violation is preliminarily determined to have384 occurred or is reasonably likely to occur, the employee designated in subsection (h) of385 this Code section shall issue a decision immediately and may direct that the alleged386 violation or anticipated violation cease and desist pending a final resolution of such387 grievance complaint. If a grievance complaint is rejected, the complaining party shall388 have the right of an immediate appeal to the local board of education for relief.389 (4) In addition to any other rights or remedies otherwise provided by law, any aggrieved390 student and any such student's parent or guardian shall have a private right of action to391 enforce the provisions of this subsection through injunctive or declaratory relief in the392 superior court of the county in which the relevant public school, local school system, or393 participating private school is located. If an aggrieved student or such student's parent394 or guardian is the prevailing party in such action, the student or student's parent or395 guardian shall be entitled to an award of reasonable attorney fees, court costs, and396 expenses of litigation, but shall not be entitled to any monetary damages.397 (5) Nothing in this Code section shall override any requirements or protections398 prescribed in the federal Americans with Disabilities Act, 42 U.S.C. Section 12101, et399 seq."400 - 16 - 24 LC 49 1921S SECTION 3-3.401 Said title is further amended in said part by revising paragraph (1) of subsection (b) and402 subparagraph (c)(1)(E) of Code Section 20-2-316, relating to involvement of athletic403 association in high school athletics, as follows:404 "(1) The athletic association shall comply with the requirements of subsections (a)405 through (f)(g) of Code Section 20-2-315, as those requirements relate to the athletic406 association's functions of organizing, sanctioning, scheduling, or rule making for events407 in which public high schools participate;"408 "(E) The authority and duties of the executive oversight committee shall include:409 (i) To meet in person or remotely not less than twice each school year;410 (ii) To meet in person or remotely upon the call of the chairperson or a majority of411 the executive oversight committee;412 (iii) To establish policies and procedures for the executive oversight committee;413 (iv) To conduct any independent audit, review, or investigation the executive414 oversight committee deems necessary, including, but not limited to, the audit, review,415 or investigation of the classifications of participating schools and travel-related travel416 related issues of participating schools; and417 (v) If the athletic association determines that it is necessary and appropriate to418 prohibit students whose gender is male from participating in athletic events that are419 designated for students whose gender is female, then the athletic association may420 adopt a policy to that effect; provided, however, that such policy shall be applied to421 all of the athletic association's participating public high schools; and422 (vi) To conduct an annual evaluation of the athletic association as a whole and423 present a report of its findings, recommendations, and conclusions to the General424 Assembly's High School Athletics Overview Committee; and"425 - 17 - 24 LC 49 1921S PART IV426 SECTION 4-1.427 Said title is further amended in Article 31A of Chapter 2, relating to state charter schools, by428 adding a new subsection to Code Section 20-2-2084, relating to petition for charter schools,429 requirements of school, governing board membership, annual training, and simultaneous430 service prohibited, to read as follows:431 "(h)(1) As used in this subsection, the term 'education service provider' means any432 organization that contracts with a new or existing charter school to provide services433 including, but not limited to, curriculum design, professional development, student434 assessments, financial and operational management, facilities management, human435 resources management, or employee benefits.436 (2) A state charter school may utilize teachers, other instructional staff, and437 noninstructional staff who are employees of an education service provider only if the438 governing board of such state charter school retains the authority to select and dismiss439 such teachers, other instructional staff, and noninstructional staff from service at the state440 charter school.441 (3) The governing board of a state charter school shall remain responsible and442 accountable for all operations, compliance, and performance of any employees of an443 education service provider utilized by such state charter school."444 PART V445 SECTION 5-1.446 Said title is further amended in Part 15 of Article 6 of Chapter 2, relating to miscellaneous447 provisions under the "Quality Basic Education Act," by adding a new Code section to read448 as follows:449 - 18 - 24 LC 49 1921S "20-2-324.7.450 (a) As used in this Code section, the term:451 (1) 'Athletic association' means any association of schools or any other similar452 organization which acts as an organizing, sanctioning, scheduling, or rule-making body453 for interscholastic athletic activities in which public schools in this state participate.454 (2) 'Interscholastic athletic activity' means interscholastic athletics and practices and455 scrimmages related to interscholastic athletics.456 (3) 'Student athlete' means a public school student in grades six through 12 participating457 in or desiring to participate in an interscholastic athletic activity.458 (b) Each athletic association shall, in consultation with the Department of Behavioral459 Health and Developmental Disabilities, develop and post on its public website guidelines460 and other relevant materials, including, but not limited to, approved videos or links thereto,461 to inform and educate student athletes, their parents or guardians, school personnel, and462 coaches about suicide risk and prevention for student athletes and raising awareness of463 suicide risk and prevention resources available to student athletes. In developing such464 guidelines and materials, an athletic association may utilize educational videos available465 at no cost to the state for the purpose of educating school personnel and coaches.466 (c) Each public school which includes one or more grades from grades six through 12 shall467 provide information to each student athlete's parent or guardian at least once each school468 year regarding suicide risk and prevention for student athletes and to raise awareness of469 suicide risk and prevention resources available to student athletes.470 (d)(1) Once each school year, each coach of an interscholastic athletic activity shall471 review the guidelines and other relevant materials, including, but not limited to, videos,472 approved by each athletic association of which the coach's school is a member pursuant473 to subsection (b) of this Code section.474 (2) A coach shall not be eligible to coach an interscholastic athletic activity until he or475 she completes the requirements contained in this subsection."476 - 19 - 24 LC 49 1921S PART VI477 SECTION 6-1.478 All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.479 - 20 -