TITLE 20 EDUCATION

Section 2. Elementary and Secondary Education, 20-2-1 through 20-2-2180.

ARTICLE 6 QUALITY BASIC EDUCATION

20-2-316.3. Prohibition of religious expression of student athletes by athletic association.

1. As used in this Code section, the term "athletic association" means any association of schools or any other similar organization which acts as an organizing, sanctioning, scheduling, or rule-making body for interscholastic athletic events in which public high schools in this state participate.
2. No high school which receives funding under this article shall participate in, sponsor, or provide coaching staff for interscholastic athletic events which are conducted under the authority of, conducted under the rules of, or scheduled by any athletic association which prohibits personal and voluntary religious expression of student athletes other than as required to protect the safety of the participants or the conduct of the athletic event in a manner consistent with the rules of the particular athletic event.
3. No high school which receives funding under this article shall participate in, sponsor, or provide coaching staff for interscholastic athletic events which are conducted under the authority of, conducted under the rules of, or scheduled by any athletic association which prohibits its member schools from organizing and playing scrimmage games, matches, or other athletic competitions with schools which are not member schools even though:
   1. Prior to such athletic competition, the administrators of both schools agree in writing to participate in such competition;
   2. Each school is in compliance with the requirements of Code Section 20-2-319.2;
   3. Each school is in compliance with the requirements of Code Section 20-2-324.1; and
   4. Such athletic competitions are limited to high school student athletes.

(Code 1981, §20-2-316.3, enacted by Ga. L. 2016, p. 604, § 1/SB 309.)