H 3082 General Bill, By Merrill, G.R. Smith, Sottile, Daning, Crosby and 
R.L. Brown
 A BILL TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION
 59-3-35 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2013, THE STATE SUPERINTENDENT
 OF EDUCATION SHALL HAVE RESPONSIBILITY FOR AND JURISDICTION OVER ALL
 INTERSCHOLASTIC ATHLETIC ACTIVITIES OF PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOLS OF THIS STATE, TO
 PROVIDE THAT THE SUPERINTENDENT SHALL APPOINT A DIVERSE ADVISORY BOARD OF
 SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENTS, ATHLETIC DIRECTORS, AND COACHES, INCLUDING WOMEN AND
 MINORITY MEMBERS, TO ADVISE HIM IN REGARD TO HIS DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
 UNDER THIS SECTION, AND TO PROVIDE THAT A STATE PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOL MAY NOT
 JOIN OR AFFILIATE WITH ANY JURISDICTIONAL BODY OR ENTITY THAT OPERATES OUTSIDE
 THE AUTHORITY OF THE STATE SUPERINTENDENT OF EDUCATION.

   12/11/12  House  Prefiled
   12/11/12  House  Referred to Committee on Education and Public Works
   01/08/13  House  Introduced and read first time (House Journal-page 77)
   01/08/13  House  Referred to Committee on Education and Public
                     Works (House Journal-page 77)

TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 59-3-35 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2013, THE STATE SUPERINTENDENT OF EDUCATION SHALL HAVE RESPONSIBILITY FOR AND JURISDICTION OVER ALL INTERSCHOLASTIC ATHLETIC ACTIVITIES OF PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOLS OF THIS STATE, TO PROVIDE THAT THE SUPERINTENDENT SHALL APPOINT A DIVERSE ADVISORY BOARD OF SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENTS, ATHLETIC DIRECTORS, AND COACHES, INCLUDING WOMEN AND MINORITY MEMBERS, TO ADVISE HIM IN REGARD TO HIS DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES UNDER THIS SECTION, AND TO PROVIDE THAT A STATE PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOL MAY NOT JOIN OR AFFILIATE WITH ANY JURISDICTIONAL BODY OR ENTITY THAT OPERATES OUTSIDE THE AUTHORITY OF THE STATE SUPERINTENDENT OF EDUCATION.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

SECTION    1.    Chapter 3, Title 59 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:

"Section 59-3-35.    (A)    Effective July 1, 2013, the State Superintendent of Education shall have responsibility for and jurisdiction over all interscholastic athletic activities of public high schools in this State, including school classifications and regions, competitions and scheduling, eligibility, and protests and sanctions for violations.

(B)    The State Superintendent of Education in performing these duties may delegate a portion of these responsibilities to local school boards of trustees. In addition, the Superintendent shall appoint a diverse advisory board of school superintendents, athletic directors, and coaches, including women and minority members, to advise him in regard to his duties and responsibilities under this section.

(C)    A state public high school may not join or affiliate with any jurisdictional body or entity that operates outside the authority of the State Superintendent of Education."

SECTION    2.    This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.