The bill amends Section 22-2-2 of the New Mexico Public School Code to clarify the responsibilities of the Public Education Department (PED) regarding the regulation of extracurricular and co-curricular activities, as well as interscholastic competitions. It establishes that the PED will determine student eligibility for participation in these activities and may authorize associations or organizations to regulate them, provided that the PED retains the authority to approve or disapprove the regulations set forth by these entities. The bill also emphasizes the PED's power to conduct financial audits of these organizations and mandates compliance with the Open Meetings Act and the Public Records Act.

Additionally, the bill makes several conforming amendments to the existing law, including the removal of outdated provisions and the introduction of new responsibilities for the PED. For instance, it allows the department to suspend the powers of a public school or district that fails to meet legal requirements and to take control until compliance is achieved. The bill also outlines the department's duties in assessing public schools for accreditation, providing technical assistance, and ensuring that educational standards are met across the state. Overall, the legislation aims to enhance the oversight and regulation of public school activities while ensuring accountability and compliance with established laws.

Statutes affected:
introduced version: 22-2-2