Requesting a study on providing additional weighting to nonpublic schools for purposes of determination of classification in high school athletics and including effective date provisions

This bill requests that the Iowa high school athletic association (IHSAA) and the Iowa girls high school athletic union (IGHSAU) jointly conduct a study to determine if nonpublic schools in this state should receive additional weighting in comparison to public schools for purposes of determining which classification a school participates in for a high school sport. Currently, a high school’s enrollment is the only factor in assigning a classification. The bill provides for the gathering of information by the IHSAA and IGHSAU to facilitate the study. The bill requests that the IHSAA and IGHSAU submit a joint report with their findings and recommendations to the general assembly and the governor by January 1, 2021. The report would describe the feasibility of providing additional weighting to nonpublic schools and provide recommendations on how such weighting could be calculated in order to promote the most equitable outcomes achievable for nonpublic and public schools participating in high school athletics in Iowa. The bill takes effect upon enactment.