Bill Text: GA SB34 | 2011-2012 | Regular Session | Engrossed

NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft

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Bill Title: Education; authorize public school students in charter schools/virtual schools to participate in extracurricular activities at resident schools [Track Bill]

Status: 2012-03-26 - House Committee Favorably Reported [SB34 Detail]

Download: Georgia-2011-SB34-Engrossed.html

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11 LC 33 4038S (SCS)

Senate Bill 34

By: Senators Rogers of the 21st, Williams of the 19th, Seabaugh of the 28th, Goggans of the 7th, Tolleson of the 20th and others

AS PASSED SENATE

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT

To amend Part 14 of Article 6 of Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to other educational programs under the "Quality Basic Education Act," so as to enact the "Rachel Sackett Act"; to authorize public school students to participate in extracurricular activities at other public schools in their attendance zone; to provide for definitions; to provide that the student is subject to the same rules and regulations applicable to other students; to provide for rules and regulations; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:

SECTION 1.

This Act shall be known and may be cited as the "Rachel Sackett Act."

SECTION 2.

Part 14 of Article 6 of Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to other educational programs under the "Quality Basic Education Act," is amended by adding a new Code section to read as follows:

"20-2-319.3.

(a) As used in this Code section, the term:

(1) 'Charter school' means a local charter school, as defined in paragraph (7) of Code Section 20-2-2062, a state chartered special school, as defined in paragraph (16) of Code Section 20-2-2062, and a commission charter school, as defined in paragraph (2) of Code Section 20-2-2081.

(2) 'Nonenrolled student' means a student enrolled in a traditional public school, a charter school, or a virtual school who resides within the attendance zone of another public school but who is not enrolled in such school. For purposes of a charter school and a virtual school, the attendance zone shall be as designated in its charter.

(3) 'Public school' means, without limitation, a traditional public school and a charter school.

(4) 'Virtual school' means a charter school in which students attend all courses via the Internet or other electronic medium not involving on-site interaction with a teacher.

(b) A public school shall allow any nonenrolled student to participate in any extracurricular activity offered or conducted by such public school in the same manner as any student currently enrolled at such public school as long as the public school that the student is attending does not offer such extracurricular activity. A nonenrolled public school student desiring to participate in an extracurricular activity shall register with the principal of the public school, or his or her designee, such intent to participate in extracurricular activities of the public school in accordance with rules and regulations established by the State Board of Education. The final approval for such participation shall reside in the discretion of the principal which shall only be withheld with just cause in accordance with state board rules and regulations as established pursuant to subsection (d) of this Code section and in accordance with local board policies, or State Board of Education or Georgia Charter Schools Commission policies, for a state chartered special school or a commission charter school, respectively. If approval is not granted, the principal shall provide notice in writing to the student and his or her parent or guardian which shall include the reason the participation was not approved.

(c) A nonenrolled student shall comply with the same rules and requirements and be subject to the same code of conduct applicable to any student's participation in the same activity.

(d) The State Board of Education shall establish rules and regulations to implement the provisions of this Code section, including procedures to follow if the interest in an extracurricular activity at a particular public school exceeds the capacity of such activity."

SECTION 3.

All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.