HB 369-STUDENT PARTICIPATION IN SPORTS  9:47:33 AM CHAIR DICK announced that the final order of business would be HOUSE BILL NO. 369, "An Act relating to student participation in sports." 9:47:42 AM REPRESENTATIVE DAN SADDLER, Alaska State Legislature, presented HB 369, paraphrasing from a prepared statement, which read as follows [original punctuation provided]: There is significant research showing that students who play high school sports simply do better: they're healthier, they get better grades, they attend and graduate at higher rates, they learn important life lessons … the benefits go on and on. So it's important to encourage all Alaska high-school students to play sports, and to do so safely, whether they're enrolled in traditional public schools, or in the increasing range of innovative, alternative educational programs, including home schools. HB 369 has two main goals. The first, in Section 1, is to strengthen provisions in last year's legislation to protect student athletes against concussions. The second, in section 2, is to clarify how students can participate in high school athletics, if not enrolled in a public school. First, section one. HB 15, passed last year, requires high school athletes who might have gotten a concussion to be examined by a qualified medical person, and declared "OK to play," before they could rejoin the game. The model bill language underlying this law required that provider had to be "certified" to approve a student's return to the game. As Alaska has no provisions for such certification, this language is unnecessary, and HB 369 deletes from the law. 9:49:04 AM REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER continued to read from a prepared statement, which read as follows [original punctuation provided]: The bill also expands the laws anti-concussion protections from covering not just games, but also practices, which can be just as vigorous as games. Second, section 2. Many Alaska families chose to teach their children at home, or in other alternative schools. (I have been quite impressed by the dedication of parents, and the quality of education they provide their children.) But different districts have different rules on how such students can play in sports at their local high school. And there can be confusion within a district. The issue came to a head in my district last year, when a school employee mistakenly -- and negligently - - cleared a home-schooled student to play on the Chugiak High football team. When the error was discovered, the team had to forfeit three games, and their chance to compete in state championship playoffs. The team members showed a lot of class in accepting this injustice, and then going on to win their last several games of the season. But this unfortunate episode pointed out the need for section 2: Section 2 provides that a student enrolled in an alternative education program, who is otherwise eligible to play in his or her local high school, can do so: It respects local school districts by ensuring such students meet district eligibility rules. It requires students to document their eligibility: by providing transcripts, proof of enrollment, proof of medical fitness, and disciplinary records. It prevents students from "team-shopping: They can only play for the school they otherwise would have attended, and they are barred from switching schools within a year. In conclusion: HB 369 is a good bill that will help more young Alaskans enjoy the benefits of high school athletics, and it helps make it safer for them to do so. 9:51:01 AM REPRESENTATIVE PRUITT related some concern was previously expressed about the documents required. He asked whether the requirements would be a barrier. REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER stated that currently student athletes must verify their eligibility requirements - public and home schooled students - and this bill would require parents and students to present to the school complete records that would impinge on the student's eligibility. He acknowledged that although it may take some time, it is necessary to verify the student's eligibility. He did not think it would be difficult to administer at the school level. 9:52:03 AM REPRESENTATIVE SEATON referred to the eligibility section, and asked what would occur when a student left the public school to be home schooled if the reason for the departure was that his or her grades were insufficient to participate in sports. He related his understanding that there isn't any requirement for home schooled students to show scores on an intermediate basis until the high school graduation qualifying exam (HSGQE) in grade 12. He asked whether this bill would provide a loophole for those students. REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER related his understanding that his concern is that someone attending a public school without sufficient grades would withdraw and enroll in sports at a public school. REPRESENTATIVE SEATON agreed. He suggested that a home schooled student would not be required to meet the same qualifications for participation in the interscholastic activities. REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER reviewed the requirements. He stated that the bill would require students to provide their academic transcripts, which would indicate a withdraw notice and would also show either a pass or fail for classes. He referred to page 2, line 30, which would require a student so enrolled to be on track to graduate. He was uncertain as to the documentation. He further explained that the student must take five credits a year as a freshman, sophomore or junior and at least four credits as a senior. Seniors must also take the exit exam, but he could not elaborate on how the student would document his or her progress from week-to-week or month-to-month in order to participate in interscholastic athletics. REPRESENTATIVE SEATON asked to have further information on home schooled student requirements and eligibility status. REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER answered one parent will testify who is familiar with the requirements. 9:55:15 AM CHAIR DICK stated support for homeschool participation and pointed out how these programs save state dollars. He asked whether any additional costs would be incurred by the school district for any homeschooled or alternative school students' participation. REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER reviewed the costs that would be involved. He offered that the Anchorage School District requires students participating in sports to pay a student activity fee to cover the costs. He pointed out that the uniforms, footballs, locker room, and field are provided - and have already been funded. He reported activity fees of $195 for gymnastics, swimming, and diving; activity fees of $185 for flag football, volleyball, and cross country; and activity fees of $175 for tennis, cross country and other sports. He agreed students must pay fees to participate and home schooled students would be required to pay the fees. 9:57:10 AM REPRESENTATIVE KAWASAKI referred to Section 2, of HB 369, and asked whether a student who lives outside of an area could participate in sports not offered by his or her school. He elaborated that one reason to do so is that perhaps the student's school doesn't offer hockey. He asked whether the student would be eligible to play. REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER referred to page 2, line 23, which would limit this to a student's home attendance area. He suggested it might be possible to get a zone exemption. He stated that if the local school didn't offer hockey the student would not be able to play. 9:59:04 AM REPRESENTATIVE SEATON recalled the changes in the Alaska School Activities Association's (ASAA) rules, and asked whether the description in the bill includes the current ASAA regulations. He pointed out that the ASAA regulations have been changed within the last two years to allow participation in team sports not offered in the student's primary school. He said he wanted to avoid an unintended consequence of the bill having a more restrictive rule than allowed by the ASAA. 10:00:29 AM REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER referred to language on page 2, line 4, and said proposed Section 2 would address his issue. Proposed AS 14.30.365 (a), read, as follows: A student who is enrolled full time in an alternative education program that is located entirely in the state and that does not offer interscholastic sports is eligible to participate in any interscholastic sports program available in the public school that the student would be eligible, .... REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER noted the qualifier is that the alternative education program does not offer the sport. He deferred to ASAG to more fully address the question. 10:01:15 AM REPRESENTATIVE SEATON referred to page 2, lines 15-17 of HB 369. He asked whether paragraph (3) would limit participation if a student participates in basketball at one school, but hockey is offered at a different school. He asked whether the student would be able to participate in hockey. REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER deferred to the experts to answer. 10:02:03 AM REPRESENTATIVE P. WILSON referred to Section 1, and expressed her concern for the removal of the word "certified." She said it would be important to have verification that the person making an assessment on an injury has training to assess a student's health status after a possible concussion. REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER responded that "qualified person" does mean a health care provider who is licensed in the state. He indicated that "certified" was removed since Alaska does not have a certifying body in the state. [HB 369 was held over.]