An Act To Limit Membership by School Administrative Units in Certain Interscholastic Organizations
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1. 20-A MRSA §4010 is enacted to read:
§ 4010. Membership in interscholastic organization
1. Definitions. As used in this section, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings.
A. "Belong to" means to maintain membership in, pay dues or fees or support monetarily or through participation by any means.
B. "Interscholastic organization" means an organization that promotes, organizes or regulates interscholastic activities in this State.
C. "School administrative unit" includes any elementary or secondary school in a school administrative unit.
2. No restriction on participation. A school administrative unit may not belong to an interscholastic organization that restricts or prohibits students from participating in contests, tournaments or games against:
A. Schools outside of that school administrative unit's league or conference; or
B. Another school as long as the outcome of the contest, tournament or game does not effect the standings or rankings of the school administrative unit in its conference.
summary
This bill prohibits a school administrative unit, including any member school in that school administrative unit, from belonging to or supporting an interscholastic organization that limits that school administrative unit from participating in contests, tournaments or games that have no effect on the standings of that school administrative unit.