Assembly Bill 51 aims to regulate the participation of school districts in interscholastic athletic associations by requiring these associations to adhere to public records and open meetings laws. Specifically, the bill stipulates that no school district can be a member of an interscholastic athletic association unless that association elects to be governed by the relevant state laws. The bill defines an interscholastic athletic association as either a nonprofit association or a nonstock, nonprofit corporation that organizes athletic events for students in grades 9 to 12 in public schools.

The bill also introduces provisions that allow interscholastic athletic associations to withhold certain records, specifically those concerning individual referees and pupils, from public inspection. Key legal language is amended and created throughout the bill, including the addition of definitions for "interscholastic athletic association" and its governance under public records laws. Notably, the bill amends sections 19.32 and 19.82 to include interscholastic athletic associations as entities subject to these laws, thereby enhancing transparency and accountability in the governance of school athletics.

Statutes affected:
Bill Text: 19.32(1), 19.32, 19.82(1), 19.82