A proposal that would allow students to attend one school but play sports for another narrowly passed a Senate education panel Wednesday.
The measure (SB 1480) passed the state Senate pre-k-12 education committee on a 6-5 vote. Similar House legislation (HB 7137) was approved last month and is headed to the House floor.
Among other things, the measure threatens to replace the Florida High School Athletic Association with a state-selected nonprofit organization; calls on the organization to offer fans the option to buy a single-day pass or multiple-day pass instead of per-event tickets; and allows students, including those in public schools, to participate in sports at another school if the program isn’t offered at their school.
“I think that extracurricular activities are very important. I think arts are very important, I think music, I think sports, all those things make for a very well rounded child,” said Sen. Kelli Stargel, R-Lakeland, the bill’s sponsor.
