The bill amends section 1006.15 of the Florida Statutes, known as the Craig Dickinson Act, to revise eligibility requirements for students participating in interscholastic and intrascholastic extracurricular activities. It introduces definitions for "eligible student," encompassing home education, charter school, private school, Florida Virtual School, alternative school, and traditional public school students. The bill mandates that district school boards provide insurance coverage for all eligible students and prohibits additional fees for participation. It also requires the athletic director or appropriate administrator to maintain records for all eligible students and outlines criteria for participation in activities at different schools. Additionally, the bill deletes obsolete provisions related to the Florida High School Athletic Association and modifies the process for student transfers and eligibility determinations, allowing for appeals of eligibility decisions and establishing a timeline for the appeals process.

Moreover, the bill removes previous restrictions that hindered students who had not maintained academic eligibility from participating in extracurricular activities, clarifying that full-time virtual program students can participate in interscholastic athletics at public schools or through agreements with private schools. It emphasizes equitable access for home education students and mandates annual participation in the Presidential Youth Fitness Program for K-12 students. The bill specifies that students not currently suspended or expelled are eligible to participate and introduces a prohibition on participating in a sport at multiple schools during the same school year unless specific criteria are met. It also amends the appeals process for denied eligibility, requiring online posting of decisions and a 20-day timeline for appeals. Additionally, district school boards are granted discretion in determining compensation for athletic coaches, allowing for flexibility beyond existing salary schedules. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
S 538 Filed: 1006.15, 1002.33
S 538 c1: 1006.15, 1006.20