Strike everything after the enacting clause and insert the following:

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1.  "INTENT. (1)(a) According to the Washington interscholastic activities association, interscholastic athletics and activities are a vital part of enriching students' educational experiences and developing students into responsible adults. The legislature finds that research compiled by the association demonstrates that students who participate in extracurricular activities have:

(i) Better grades and higher standardized test scores;

(ii) Increased school attendance; and

(iii) Improved health and wellness.

(b) In addition, the legislature finds that this research shows that participation in extracurricular activities develops lifelong skills and relationship building; has long-term economic benefits; increases the odds of attending and graduating from college; decreases the likelihood of juvenile crimes, drug, alcohol, and cigarette use, and sexual activities; and positively enhances a student's educational experience.

(2) Thus, the legislature intends to reduce barriers to participation in extracurricular activities by:

(a) Requiring that the process for charging and collecting fees be identical for all students; and

(b) Reducing the frequency of required physical examinations.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2.  A new section is added to chapter 28A.600 RCW to read as follows:

FEE COLLECTION. (1) The process for charging and collecting fees from public high school students eligible to participate in the federal free and reduced-price meals program must be identical to the process for charging and collecting fees from other students.

(2) Schools offering discounts to students eligible for free and reduced-price meals must, to the extent practicable, make efforts to automatically charge the discounted rate or make every effort to streamline the process and increase participation in the activities for which the fees are collected.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3.  A new section is added to chapter 28A.600 RCW to read as follows:

PHYSICAL EXAMINATION FREQUENCY. Students may not be required to complete a physical examination to participate in extracurricular activities more often than every twenty-four months, unless recommended by a medical authority licensed to perform a physical examination."

On page 1, line 2 of the title, after "activities;" strike the remainder of the title and insert "adding new sections to chapter 28A.600 RCW; and creating a new section."

EFFECT: Replaces provisions relating to fee collection with language that requires public high schools to:

(1) Have identical processes for charging and collecting fees for all students;

(2) Make efforts to automatically charge discounted fee rates for eligible students; and

(3) Make every effort to streamline fee collection processes and increase participation.