SB401 - Relating to participation by non-enrolled students in University Interscholastic League-sponsored activities.

      S.B. No. 401         AN ACT   relating to participation by non-enrolled students in University   Interscholastic League-sponsored activities.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Section 33.0832, Education Code, is amended by   amending Subsections (c) and (e) and adding Subsections (c-2) and   (e-1) to read as follows:          (c)  Except as provided by Subsections (c-2) and   [ Subsection ] (i), a public school that participates in an activity   sponsored by the league shall [ may ] provide a non-enrolled student,   who otherwise meets league eligibility standards to represent that   school in a league activity, with the opportunity to participate in   the activity on behalf of the school in the same manner that the   school provides the opportunity to participate to students enrolled   in the school.           (c-2)     Not later than the date specified under league rule,   the board of trustees of a school district or the governing body of   an open-enrollment charter school may adopt a policy declining to   grant non-enrolled students the opportunity to participate in   league activities.          (e)   Except as provided by Subsection (e-1), a  [ A ]   non-enrolled student may only participate in a league activity for   the school in the school district that the student would be eligible   to attend based on the student's residential address.  A   non-enrolled student who seeks to participate in a league activity   on behalf of a school shall be required to establish minimum proof   of residency acceptable to the district in the same manner as an   applicant to attend a school in the district under Section 25.001.           (e-1)     If the school that a non-enrolled student would be   eligible to attend under Subsection (e) is subject to a policy   adopted under Subsection (c-2), the student may participate in a   league activity for the closest school, based on geographic   proximity to the student's residential address, that is not subject   to a policy adopted under Subsection (c-2).          SECTION 2.  This Act applies beginning with the 2025-2026   school year.          SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives   a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as   provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this   Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this   Act takes effect September 1, 2025.               ______________________________ ______________________________      President of the Senate Speaker of the House                 I hereby certify that S.B. No. 401 passed the Senate on   April 28, 2025, by the following vote:  Yeas 23, Nays 8.       ______________________________   Secretary of the Senate                I hereby certify that S.B. No. 401 passed the House on   May 27, 2025, by the following vote:  Yeas 104, Nays 35, three   present not voting.       ______________________________   Chief Clerk of the House            Approved:     ______________________________                Date       ______________________________              Governor