FL H1403

Authorizes charter schools, virtual schools, and home education cooperatives to become FHSAA members and prohibits FHSAA from taking retributory action against members competing with non-FHSAA schools.

Requires FHSAA bylaws allowing student transfers to be eligible mid-year if transfer is made by a deadline no earlier than the date for beginning practice, subject to district or private school transfer policies.

Establishes standards for FHSAA investigations including level 2 background screening for investigators, limits interviews to weekday business hours with parental presence, and requires written parental consent for residence searches.

Requires ineligibility determinations be based on clear and convincing evidence with notice to students, parents, and schools; prohibits forfeiting contests for inadvertent eligibility violations unless coach or administrator should have known; limits contest forfeiture for recruiting violations to number of contests coaches are suspended.

Expedites appeals process for ineligibility determinations to conclude before end of sports season when possible and allows appellants to present new evidence requiring de novo review or reversal if original determination lacked clear and convincing evidence.