Alabama SB342: Education; CHOOSE Act's athletic-eligibility nondiscrimination provision, enforcement mechanism established; private right of action established

What the bill says

An Act, Relating to educational choice; to add Section 16-6J-10 to the Code of Alabama 1975, to provide enforcement mechanisms for the CHOOSE Act's prohibition of discrimination against CHOOSE Act participating students with respect to eligibility for K-12 interscholastic athletics; to provide a right of action for CHOOSE Act participants for violations, regardless of when the alleged violation occurred; to permit courts to award reasonable attorney fees; and to provide for legislative findings.

From the enrolled text:

An Act, Relating to educational choice; to add Section 16-6J-10 to the Code of Alabama 1975, to provide enforcement mechanisms for the CHOOSE Act's prohibition of discrimination against CHOOSE Act participating students with respect to eligibility for K-12 interscholastic athletics; to provide a right of action for CHOOSE Act participants for violations, regardless of when the alleged violation occurred; to permit courts to award reasonable attorney fees; and to provide for legislative findings. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA: Section 1. Section 16-6J-10 is added to the Code of Alabama 1975, to read as follows: §16-6J-10 (a) The Legislature finds and declares the following: (1) The CHOOSE Act was enacted to expand educational opportunity in Alabama and enhance the ability of Alabama parents to choose the K-12 educational setting that best meets the needs of their children. (2) Recognizing the importance of interscholastic athletics, the CHOOSE Act contains an athletic-eligibility nondiscrimination provision that states, "Nothing in the CHOOSE Act shall affect or change the athletic eligibility of student athletes governed by the Alabama High School Athletic Association or similar association." (3) Interscholastic athletics are a vital part of a Page (3) Interscholastic athletics are a vital part of a SB342 Enrolled complete education, promoting teamwork, discipline, leadership, personal growth, and community engagement. Participation in interscholastic athletics, like participation …

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