FHSAA releases statement on recent legislation impacting high school athletics

The FHSAA has been in contact with lawmakers before and throughout the legislative session and
after review of the “school choice” bill, the FHSAA has identified some key changes that will impact
our membership along with local school districts.

We believe that high school sports provide a unique opportunity to learn valuable life lessons and
the legislation passed by the House and Senate on Friday creates greater opportunity for studentathletes
to play transfer students will now be immediately eligible for participation, provided that
he/she did not already compete in a sport at more than one school in the same school year.

Currently, the FHSAA has six transfer exceptions designed for immediate eligibility for students
needing to move due to extenuating circumstances. The bill reinforces existing FHSAA guidelines,
specifically listing relocation due to foster care placement, death of a parent or guardian, military
orders or court-ordered changes in custody as grounds for granting instantaneous eligibility to
participate in interscholastic athletics.

Moving forward, there will be more clarity in regard to requirements to participate in
interscholastic athletics as district school boards must establish a code of conduct that outlines
eligibility standards for student-athletes within the district. Charter schools and private schools
are also charged with applying the same elements of the code with the governing board being
responsible for administration. The code must include the following points:

1. A student not suspended or expelled is eligible to participate in interscholastic athletics
2. A student may not participate in any interscholastic or intrascholastic activity if the
   student participated in that same sport at another school during the same school year,
   barring one of the instances noted in the previous paragraph.
3. A student’s eligibility to participate in interscholastic or intrascholastic activity may not
   be affected by recruiting allegations until a final determination has been reached.

Additionally, beginning with the 2016-17 school year, harsher recruiting penalties for school
district employees or contractors will go into effect with those found to be guilty of a recruiting
violation receiving a $5,000 forfeiture of pay for first offense, suspension without pay from
coaching, directing or advertising an extracurricular activity along with a $5,000 forfeiture of pay
for the second offense, and potential for revoking educator’s certificate and adjunct teaching
certificates along with $5,000 forfeiture of pay for third offense.

Another change is that private schools will also have the option of maintaining full membership in
the Association or joining on a per-sport basis.

The FHSAA will next begin the process of communicating with the impacted parties and
developing a plan to prepare for July 1, 2016 implementation.

About the FHSAA
The Florida High School Athletic Association supervises and regulates interscholastic athletic
programs for high school students at member public, private and charter schools. The organization
also recognizes and honors academic achievement among student-athletes at almost 800 middle,
junior and senior high schools statewide. Headquartered in Gainesville, it is the official governing
body for interscholastic athletics in Florida.