HLS 11RS-28 ORIGINAL
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.
Regular Session, 2011
HOUSE BILL NO. 31
BY REPRESENTATIVE HARDY
Prefiled pursuant to Article III, Section 2(A)(4)(b)(i) of the Constitution of Louisiana.
STUDENTS: Provides relative to minimum academic eligibility requirements for
participation by certain students in interscholastic athletics
AN ACT1
To amend and reenact R.S. 17:176(B) and (C), relative to standards for student participation2
in interscholastic athletics; to establish minimum academic eligibility requirements3
for participation by certain students in interscholastic athletics; to require the State4
Board of Elementary and Secondary Education to adopt a policy relative to such5
eligibility requirements; to provide for effectiveness; and to provide for related6
matters.7
Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:8
Section 1. R.S. 17:176(B) and (C) are hereby amended and reenacted to read as9
follows: 10
ยง176. Extracurricular activities; participation; standards; prohibitions; filming or11
videotaping; definitions12
* * *13
B. The superintendent of each city, and parish, and other local public school14
system shall cause the principals and faculties principal and faculty of each middle,15
junior high, and high school to take all actions necessary or appropriate to upgrade16
the academic standards of student athletes all students such that each such athlete,17
student, to the extent possible, accomplishes his maximum potential in academic18
endeavors while participating in interscholastic athletics.19 HLS 11RS-28 ORIGINAL
HB NO. 31
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C. The State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education shall adopt a1
policy no later than March 31, 1985 which as at a minimum shall require requires2
that the 1984 Scholastic Rule of the Louisiana High School Athletic Association be3
adhered to by all high schools under its jurisdiction. The Board is further directed4
to review the policy of the Association to be eligible to participate in any5
interscholastic athletic activity, a public school student in grades six through twelve6
has attained not less than a "C" average, as determined by the governing authority7
of the school in which the student is enrolled, for all courses of study for the previous8
grading period and shall maintain, as of the conclusion of the most recent grading9
period, at least a "C" average, as determined by the governing authority, for all10
courses of study for the year. The board shall review its policy on an annual basis11
and adopt such rules as are necessary to insure ensure that these minimum standards12
are maintained or upgraded.13
* * *14
Section 2. The State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education shall adopt a15
policy as required by R.S. 17:176(C) as amended by this Act effective for the 2011-201216
school year and thereafter.17
Section 3. This Act shall become effective upon signature by the governor or, if not18
signed by the governor, upon expiration of the time for bills to become law without signature19
by the governor, as provided by Article III, Section 18 of the Constitution of Louisiana. If20
vetoed by the governor and subsequently approved by the legislature, this Act shall become21
effective on the day following such approval.22
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
Hardy HB No. 31
Abstract: Requires BESE to adopt a policy requiring at least a "C" average for public
school students in grades six through 12 to participate in interscholastic athletics.
Present law requires local school superintendents to cause principals and faculties of middle,
junior high, and high schools to upgrade the academic standards of student athletes so that HLS 11RS-28 ORIGINAL
HB NO. 31
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.
such athletes accomplish their maximum potential in academic endeavors while participating
in interscholastic athletics.
Proposed law retains present law.
Present law requires the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) to
adopt a policy requiring, as a minimum that the Louisiana High School Athletic Association
1984 scholastic rule (relative to minimum academic requirements, including a 1.5 grade
point average) be adhered to by all high schools under its jurisdiction. Requires BESE
annually to review the association's policy and to adopt rules as necessary to ensure that such
minimum standards are maintained or upgraded.
Proposed law instead requires BESE to adopt a policy which at a minimum requires that to
be eligible to participate in any interscholastic athletic activity, a public school student in
grades six through 12 has attained at least a "C" average for all courses of study for the
previous grading period and shall maintain, as of the conclusion of the most recent grading
period, at least a "C" average for all courses of study for the year. Provides that a "C"
average shall be as determined by the governing authority of the school in which the student
is enrolled. Requires BESE annually to review its policy and adopt rules as necessary to
ensure that such minimum standards are maintained or upgraded.
Effective upon signature of governor or lapse of time for gubernatorial action.
(Amends R.S. 17:176(B) and (C))