CS/CS/HB 443 - Summary

• Designates the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) as the governing athletic association for public schools, with authority to approve other nonprofit athletic associations that meet statutory requirements and operate under State Board of Education contracts.

• Allows home education students, Florida Virtual School students, and private school students to participate in interscholastic and intrascholastic activities at public schools under specified eligibility requirements.

• Establishes enhanced safety and medical standards including mandatory preparticipation physical evaluations, concussion management protocols, heat stress monitoring, and cold-water immersion equipment for athletic programs.

• Requires FHSAA to establish a sports medicine advisory committee with specific professional membership and implement comprehensive bylaws addressing recruiting violations, coach sanctions, eligibility determinations, and appeals procedures with significant penalties for violations.

• Mandates that athletic associations allow schools to make brief opening remarks at championship contests and prohibits association control over content or speaker selection, with notice that remarks do not reflect the association's views.