House Bill 454

AN ACT TO REQUIRE EACH LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICT TO ENCOURAGE AND SUPPORT STUDENT PARTICIPATION IN EXTRACURRICULAR AND CO-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES WITHOUT COMPROMISING THE INTEGRITY AND PURPOSE OF THE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM; TO REQUIRE EACH LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICT TO ADOPT A POLICY PROVIDING THE OPPORTUNITY FOR STUDENTS TO PARTICIPATE IN SUCH ACTIVITIES IS A PRIVILEGE, NOT A RIGHT; TO PROHIBIT DISCRIMINATION IN ALLOWING STUDENT PARTICIPATION BASED ON CERTAIN CHARACTERISTICS; TO PRESCRIBE THE REQUIREMENTS FOR DETERMINING ELIGIBILITY FOR PARTICIPATION; TO REMOVE ANY RESTRICTION ON A STUDENT'S PARTICIPATION IN EXTRACURRICULAR AND CO-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES DUE THE STUDENT'S INABILITY TO PAY FEES ASSOCIATED WITH THE ACTIVITY; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. (1) The executive committee of the Mississippi High School Activities Association and the local school board of each school district recognize that extracurricular and co-curricular activities enrich the educational and social development and experiences of students. The school district shall encourage and support student participation in extracurricular and co-curricular activities without compromising the integrity and purpose of the educational program. Each school district shall adopt a policy providing the opportunity for students to participate in any extracurricular and co-curricular activities program offered by the school district and shall stipulate therein that such student participation is a privilege, not a right.

(2) No extracurricular or co-curricular program or activity shall be provided or conducted separately and no district student's participation in extracurricular and co-curricular activities shall be required or refused based on the student's gender, sexual orientation, ethnic group identification, race, ancestry, national origin, religion, color or mental or physical impairment. Requirements for participation in extracurricular and co-curricular activities shall be limited to those that are essential to the activity and meeting eligibility requirements as determined by the student's ability to demonstrate satisfactory educational progress during the determining grading period.

(3) No student shall be prohibited from participating in extracurricular and co-curricular activities related to the educational program because of inability to pay fees associated with the activity.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage.