2011 Louisiana Laws
Revised Statutes
TITLE 17 — Education
RS 17:236.3 — Home study program participants; eligibility to participate in interscholastic athletics; guidelines; standards; limitations

§236.3. Home study program participants; eligibility to participate in interscholastic athletics; guidelines; standards; limitations

A. Beginning with the 2010-2011 school year and continuing thereafter, a student in a home study program approved by the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education in accordance with R.S. 17:236.1 shall be eligible as follows to participate in interscholastic athletic activities at a high school that is a member of the Louisiana High School Athletic Association:

(1) If seeking to participate at a public high school that is a member of the association, participation shall be in accordance with the provisions of this Section.

(2)(a) If seeking to participate at a state-approved nonpublic high school that is a member of the association, participation shall be at the sole discretion of the governing authority of the nonpublic school. If participation is permitted, the governing authority shall determine the terms and conditions of any such participation at the school. However, the student's participation shall be subject to the same requirements, policies, and rules of eligibility of the Louisiana High School Athletic Association as applicable to other students participating in the activity at that school, excluding any association requirements, policies, or rules that prohibit or restrict such participation by a student in a state-approved home study program.

(b) No person, individually or on behalf of any other person, shall have a cause of action arising from a denial of participation of a home study student in interscholastic athletics at a state-approved nonpublic high school or, if a home study student is allowed to participate under terms and conditions determined by the governing authority of the nonpublic school, from any refusal or denial by the nonpublic school of further participation by the student in interscholastic athletics at the nonpublic school.

(c) Nothing in this Subsection shall be construed as regulation of a private secondary school inconsistent with Article VIII, Section 4, of the Constitution of Louisiana.

B. To be eligible to participate in interscholastic athletics as provided by Subsection A of this Section, the home study student shall meet each of the following conditions and comply with other applicable provisions of this Section:

(1) The student shall be subject to the same residency or attendance zone requirements as other students participating in the athletic activity.

(2)(a) The student's participation shall be approved by the principal of the school providing the athletic activity.

(b) The student's parent or legal guardian shall make a written request for the student to participate in interscholastic athletic activities to the principal of the school providing the activity. Such request shall be made not later than the first eleven days of the school year.

(c) The principal of the school providing the athletic activity shall approve or disapprove such written request within thirty days after receipt by the principal of all information and documentation requested by the principal from the student or the student's parent or legal guardian, or both. A request for information and documentation by the principal shall be limited to information and documentation that is required by this Section and information and documentation that is required of other students relative to participation in the athletic activity.

(d) A decision by the principal to approve or disapprove the written request for the student to participate shall be final.

(e) No person, individually or on behalf of any other person, shall have a cause of action arising from a denial by a public school principal of participation by a home study student in interscholastic athletics at the school or, if a home study student is allowed by the principal to participate under the terms and conditions provided by this Section from any refusal or denial of further participation by the student in interscholastic athletics at the school.

(3) After a decision is made by the principal to approve a request for the student to participate, the student then shall participate in any tryouts for such activity at the same time and in the same manner as other students who want to participate in the same activity.

(4) At the time of participation in the athletic activity, the student and the student's home study program shall be in full compliance with all guidelines, standards, and requirements established by R.S. 17:236.1 for a home study program to be approved by the state.

(5)(a) The student shall meet academic standards required of other students to participate in the athletic activity.

(b) The student shall submit documentation from the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education that the student is in a home study program approved by the board.

(c) The student shall submit a copy of his transcript showing units of study completed or in progress, the grades earned for such study, and his cumulative grade point average.

(6) The student shall meet all other standards and requirements applicable to a student participating in the athletic activity, including but not limited to tryouts, practice time, codes of conduct and student discipline, physical exams, proof of age, permission forms, waivers, required paperwork, fees, and transportation arrangements but excluding any requirements that the student be enrolled in or attend the school, or both.

(7) The student shall meet conditions applicable to students at the school relative to having any required insurance coverage either by participating, if otherwise eligible, in insurance programs offered through the school or school system or by providing for such insurance coverage in another manner.

C.(1) A student who has been enrolled in a public or nonpublic school during the school year in which the student begins home study or during the previous school year and who was determined ineligible to participate in one or more interscholastic extracurricular activities at such school for reasons related to student conduct or academic performance, or both, shall be ineligible to participate in interscholastic athletic activities as provided by this Section for one calendar year from the date the student was determined ineligible.

(2) A student who has been enrolled in a public or nonpublic school during the school year in which the student begins home study shall not be eligible to participate in interscholastic athletic activities as provided by this Section during the remainder of that school year nor during the following school year.

D.(1) Any home study student who provides or on whose behalf others provide any false representation, documentation, or verification of the student's qualifications for the purpose of meeting eligibility requirements to participate in interscholastic athletics shall be ruled ineligible to participate in accordance with policies of the Louisiana High School Athletic Association and shall be subject to the same penalties as other students as provided by the association.

(2) A school determined to be knowledgeable of any false representation, documentation, or verification of a home study student's qualifications for the purpose of meeting eligibility requirements to participate in interscholastic athletics shall be subject to penalties as established by the Louisiana High School Athletic Association for use of an ineligible student athlete.

Acts 2010, No. 691, §1, eff. June 29, 2010.