SB 788 – This act establishes the "Students First Interscholastic Athletics Act." It is the intent of the General Assembly that every student of high school age has the opportunity to participate in interscholastic athletics, including students enrolled in public school, private school, the Missouri Virtual Instruction Program, or a home school, regardless of background and education program. Any student of high school age will have the right to seek to participate in interscholastic athletics through his or her school. If the school does not offer athletics, the student will be able to participate through his or her school district of residence. Each school that offers interscholastic athletics must identify by July 1 the athletic programs it will provide and the approximate number of athletes who may participate at any time.
This act contains eligibility requirements for student athletes.
Nothing in this act may be construed as requiring a school to allow all students to participate in athletics. Schools will have discretion as to which students may participate on a team, based on ability. In addition, no school may discriminate against a student seeking to participate in interscholastic athletics based on the student's choice of education program.
MICHAEL RUFF