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Regular Session, 2011
HOUSE BILL NO. 31
BY REPRESENTATIVES HARDY, CARMODY, CARTER, DOWNS, EDWARDS, AND
SCHRODER
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; interscholastic athletics; participation; standards;11
prohibitions; filming or 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 such that each such athlete, to the extent17
possible, accomplishes his maximum potential in academic endeavors while18
participating in interscholastic athletics.19 HLS 11RS-28 ENGROSSED
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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 that the2
1984 Scholastic Rule of the Louisiana High School Athletic Association be adhered3
to by all high schools under its jurisdiction. The Board is further directed to review4
the policy of the Association on an annual basis and adopt such rules as are5
necessary to insure that these minimum standards are maintained or upgraded. shall6
require that the scholastic rule adopted by the Louisiana High School Athletic7
Association in January of 2010 be adhered to by all high schools under its8
jurisdiction. The association's scholastic regulations, which include a "C" average9
as determined by the local governing authority of the school in which the student is10
enrolled, shall serve as the minimum standard upon which each school builds higher11
academic standards.12
* * *13
Section 2. The State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education shall adopt a14
policy as required by R.S. 17:176(C) as amended by this Act effective for the 2011-201215
school year and thereafter.16
Section 3. This Act shall become effective upon signature by the governor or, if not17
signed by the governor, upon expiration of the time for bills to become law without signature18
by the governor, as provided by Article III, Section 18 of the Constitution of Louisiana. If19
vetoed by the governor and subsequently approved by the legislature, this Act shall become20
effective on the day following such approval.21
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 high schools to adhere to the La. High
School Athletic Association's Scholastic Rule that requires a "C" average 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 ENGROSSED
HB NO. 31
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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's (LHSAA) 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 to ensure that
such minimum standards are maintained or upgraded.
Proposed law retains present law requirement that BESE adopt a policy but refers to the
LHSAA's rule adopted in Jan. of 2010 instead of the 1984 rule and provides that the BESE
policy shall be effective for the 2011-2012 school year and thereafter. Adds that the
LHSAA's scholastic regulations ("C" average) shall be the minimum standard. Deletes the
requirement that BESE review the association's policy and adopt rules relative thereto.
Effective upon signature of governor or lapse of time for gubernatorial action.
(Amends R.S. 17:176(B) and (C))
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on Education to the original
bill.
1. Adds that BESE policy shall require that the Jan. 2010 Scholastic Rule of the
LHSAA ("C" average to participate in sports) be adhered to by all high schools
under its jurisdiction.
2. Deletes requirement that public school students in 6
th
through 12
th
grades have
at least a "C" average for all courses of study to participate in sports.
3. Deletes requirement that BESE annually review its policy and adopt rules
relative thereto.