Senate Bill 2152

AN ACT TO ESTABLISH A PROPERTY INTEREST IN INTERSCHOLASTIC ATHLETICS PARTICIPATION FOR STUDENT ATHLETES ENROLLED IN PUBLIC SECONDARY SCHOOLS; TO GUARANTEE DUE PROCESS, INCLUDING NOTICE, AN OPPORTUNITY TO BE HEARD AND THE RIGHT TO APPEAL, BEFORE A STUDENT ATHLETE MAY BE SUSPENDED, EXPELLED OR OTHERWISE REMOVED FROM SUCH PARTICIPATION; TO DIRECT THE MISSISSIPPI HIGH SCHOOL ACTIVITIES ASSOCIATION (MHSAA), IN CONSULTATION WITH THE OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE AND THE OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, TO PROMULGATE RULES AND REGULATIONS TO IMPLEMENT THIS ACT, INCLUDING ELIGIBILITY STANDARDS, DISCIPLINARY PROCEDURES AND APPEAL PROCESSES ALLOWING THE PARTICIPATION OF LEGAL COUNSEL; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1. (1) Student athletes enrolled in a public secondary school who meet all eligibility requirements established by the Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA) and their school shall have a property interest in their participation in interscholastic athletics. This property interest shall not constitute a guarantee of a particular position, role or level of participation within a team or sport but ensures the right to due process under the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of Mississippi.

(2) A student athlete shall not be suspended, expelled or otherwise removed from participation in interscholastic athletics without notice, an opportunity to be heard, and the right to appeal any adverse decision to MHSAA.

(3) MHSAA, in consultation with the Office of the Secretary of State and the Office of the Attorney General, shall promulgate rules and regulations to implement the provisions of this section, including, but not limited to, eligibility standards, disciplinary procedures and appeal processes allowing the participation of legal counsel.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2026.