Texas 2021 - 87th Regular

Texas Senate Bill SB776 Compare Versions

Version 1 (Old)

Version 2 (New)

Old	New		Differences
1		-	S.B. No. 776
	1	+	By: Lucio, et al. S.B. No. 776
	2	+	(Dominguez, Martinez, Lucio III, Guillen, et al.)
2	3
3	4
	5	+	A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
4	6		AN ACT
5	7		relating to the creation of an inclusive sports program by the
6	8		University Interscholastic League to provide students with
7	9		intellectual disabilities access to team sports.
8	10		BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
9	11		SECTION 1. This Act may be cited as Zariah's Law.
10	12		SECTION 2. Subchapter D, Chapter 33, Education Code, is
11	13		amended by adding Section 33.097 to read as follows:
12	14		Sec. 33.097. INCLUSIVE SPORTS PROGRAM FOR STUDENTS WITH
13	15		INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES. (a) The University Interscholastic
14	16		League shall ensure students with intellectual disabilities have an
15	17		opportunity to participate in team athletic activities by
16	18		establishing and maintaining an inclusive sports program.
17	19		(b) The University Interscholastic League shall adopt rules
18	20		as necessary to establish, maintain, and expand the inclusive
19	21		sports program. The rules must:
20	22		(1) accommodate inclusive team sports offered through
21	23		the program at participating public middle schools, junior high
22	24		schools, and high schools in the state;
23	25		(2) establish eligibility requirements for
24	26		participation in each inclusive team sport offered through the
25	27		program;
26	28		(3) identify best practices for school districts to
27	29		incorporate inclusive sports; and
28	30		(4) require the program to incorporate activities that
29	31		promote:
30	32		(A) bullying prevention;
31	33		(B) moral intelligence;
32	34		(C) character development;
33	35		(D) leadership development;
34	36		(E) physical fitness; and
35	37		(F) positive school culture.
36	38		(c) In adopting the rules under Subsection (b), the
37	39		University Interscholastic League shall consider and incorporate
38	40		as appropriate:
39	41		(1) federal guidance regarding providing access to
40	42		extracurricular athletics for students with intellectual
41	43		disabilities;
42	44		(2) guidance available from nationally recognized
43	45		organizations that promote inclusion and acceptance among students
44	46		with and without intellectual disabilities;
45	47		(3) information regarding inclusive sports programs
46	48		that have been successfully implemented in this state, in other
47	49		states, and by nonprofit organizations;
48	50		(4) input from school districts and the agency; and
49	51		(5) guidance provided by impacted stakeholders,
50	52		including by parents of or persons standing in parental relation to
51	53		students with intellectual disabilities.
52	54		(d) The University Interscholastic League may appoint a
53	55		person to provide guidance on behalf of impacted stakeholders for
54	56		purposes of Subsection (c)(5).
55	57		(e) In maintaining the inclusive sports program, the
56	58		University Interscholastic League shall, to the greatest extent
57	59		possible, require:
58	60		(1) students who participate in the inclusive sports
59	61		program to be subject to the same rules and requirements as students
60	62		who participate in other athletic programs offered by the league,
61	63		including:
62	64		(A) grade and disciplinary requirements under
63	65		Section 33.081(c); and
64	66		(B) requirements related to student safety in
65	67		athletic activities under this chapter and Chapter 38; and
66	68		(2) team sports provided through the inclusive sports
67	69		program to be organized similarly to other athletic programs
68	70		offered by the league, including with respect to team practices,
69	71		seasonal play, and local and statewide competitions.
70	72		(f) In addition to using funds available or appropriated for
71	73		the purpose, the University Interscholastic League or a partner
72	74		affiliated with the league may seek and accept gifts, grants, or
73	75		donations of money from public and private sources for the purpose
74	76		of establishing or expanding the inclusive sports program.
75	77		SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.
76		-	______________________________ ______________________________
77		-	President of the Senate Speaker of the House
78		-	I hereby certify that S.B. No. 776 passed the Senate on
79		-	April 29, 2021, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0.
80		-	______________________________
81		-	Secretary of the Senate
82		-	I hereby certify that S.B. No. 776 passed the House on
83		-	May 24, 2021, by the following vote: Yeas 143, Nays 2, one present
84		-	not voting.
85		-	______________________________
86		-	Chief Clerk of the House
87		-	Approved:
88		-	______________________________
89		-	Date
90		-	______________________________
91		-	Governor