87R6909 JES-D
By: Dominguez H.B. No. 2193
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the creation of an adaptive sports program by the
University Interscholastic League to provide students with
disabilities access to team sports.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. This Act may be cited as Zariah's Law.
SECTION 2. Subchapter D, Chapter 33, Education Code, is
amended by adding Section 33.097 to read as follows:
Sec. 33.097. ADAPTIVE SPORTS PROGRAM FOR STUDENTS WITH
DISABILITIES. (a) The University Interscholastic League shall
ensure students with disabilities have an opportunity to
participate in team athletic activities by establishing an adaptive
sports program. In establishing the adaptive sports program, the
league shall consider and incorporate as appropriate:
(1) federal guidance regarding providing access to
extracurricular athletics for students with disabilities;
(2) guidance available from nationally recognized
organizations that provide or promote adaptive athletics;
(3) information regarding adaptive sports programs
that have been successfully implemented in other states or by
nonprofit organizations; and
(4) input from school districts and the agency.
(b) In establishing the adaptive sports program, the
University Interscholastic League shall, to the greatest extent
possible, require:
(1) students who participate in the program to be
subject to the same rules and requirements as students who
participate in other athletic programs offered by the league,
including:
(A) grade and disciplinary requirements under
Section 33.081(c); and
(B) requirements related to student safety in
athletic activities under this chapter and Chapter 38; and
(2) team sports provided through the program to be
organized similarly to other athletic programs offered by the
league, including with respect to team practices, seasonal play,
and local and statewide competitions.
(c) In addition to using funds appropriated for the purpose,
the University Interscholastic League may seek and accept gifts,
grants, or donations of money from public and private sources for
the purpose of establishing or expanding the adaptive sports
program.
(d) The University Interscholastic League shall adopt rules
as necessary to establish, maintain, and expand the adaptive sports
program. The rules must:
(1) require that team sports offered through the
program be available to students at public middle schools, junior
high schools, and high schools in the state;
(2) establish eligibility requirements for
participation in each team sport offered through the program; and
(3) identify best practices for school districts to
incorporate adaptive sports.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.