Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research | BILL ANALYSIS |
Education Committee |
SB 5129
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent. |
Brief Description: Concerning charter school students participating in interschool athletics and extracurricular activities.
Sponsors: Senators Hunt, Fain, Zeiger, Mullet and Palumbo.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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Hearing Date: 3/13/17
Staff: Megan Wargacki (786-7194).
Background:
The Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA) is a nonprofit organization and rule-making body that was formed in 1905 to create equitable playing conditions between high school sports teams in Washington. The WIAA consists of nearly 800 high schools and middle/junior high schools, both public and private, that have volunteered to abide by the policies established by the WIAA.
A charter school is a public school that operates separately from the common school system. Charter schools are open to all children and may offer, tuition-free, any program or course of study that any other public school may offer. In general, charter schools are exempt from most state laws and rules governing other public schools.
The eligibility of a charter school student to participate in interschool athletic activities or other interschool extracurricular activities governed by the WIAA is subject to rules adopted by the WIAA.
As required by statute, the WIAA rules only allow charter school students to participate in interschool athletic activities or other interschool extracurricular activities offered by the resident school district, unless approved by a nonresident school district or the WIAA. In addition, statute requires that the WIAA rules provide that it is the responsibility of the charter school to pay the full cost, minus any student participation fee, for any student who participates in interschool athletic activities or other interschool extracurricular activities governed by the WIAA.
Summary of Bill:
The statutory provision requiring the WIAA rules to limit charter school students participation in interschool athletic activities or other interschool extracurricular activities to those activities offered by the student's resident school district, unless approved by a nonresident school district or the WIAA, is removed.
A statutory provision specifying that the WIAA rules must provide that it is the responsibility of the charter school to pay the activity participation costs is replaced with a provision specifying that the charter school is responsible for these costs.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.