Posted: | March 11, 2021 04:50 PM |
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From: | Representative Dan L. Miller and Rep. Jessica Benham |
To: | All House members |
Subject: | Enhancing Title IX Requirements to Promote Gender and Racial Equity |
Since the original passage of Title IX in 1972, we have seen momentous progress towards equality in sports for all ages, but there is still work to be done to strengthen the standards to which we hold our high schools and universities. Tremendous opportunities can come resulting from an athlete’s participation in sports, and we must ensure that those opportunities are extended fairly and equitably. Currently, school districts already report a variety of demographic information to the Department of Education that is able to shed some light on the makeup of the student-athlete population. This bill would seek to expand on those reporting requirements as well as increase the transparency of schools’ abilities to adhere to Title IX requirements. This bill would require school districts as well as our colleges and universities to evaluate their adherence to Title IX, while ensuring that each school’s Title IX coordinator is properly trained as well as accessible to students and the public. This bill also seeks to ensure there are consequences for athletic directors who are unable to attain and maintain Title IX compliance in their schools and preserve, to the greatest extent possible, the funding and resources necessary to operate athletic programs. Athletics are often an outlet for our student-athletes where personal and professional connections, memories, and real-life skills can be made and developed. Promoting a system where access to these opportunities is level across all genders and races is essential in creating a fairer playing field and foundation for long-term success not just as it relates to athletics. Please consider your support in standing with our student-athletes in both high schools and higher education. |
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Introduced as HB919