CS for SB 1704 - High School Athletics Summary

• Designates the Sunshine Independent Athletic Association (SIAA) as a governing nonprofit organization for athletics in private schools, alongside the existing Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) for public schools.

• Expands eligibility for private school students to participate in public school sports and allows students transferring from public to private schools to participate in any sport offered by the private school.

• Requires both associations to adopt bylaws regulating investigators, establishing interview guidelines and restrictions, and allowing coaches to work with outside youth organizations without sanctions.

• Prohibits the FHSAA from denying or discouraging interscholastic competition between public and private schools, and requires both associations to conduct annual state championship competitions.

• Creates a 16-person board of directors for the SIAA with representation from private schools, charter schools, and state appointees; requires both associations to adopt defibrillator and cheerleader safety standards; and establishes procedures for appeals to be heard in the county where the student's school is located.