Legislation Document

WHEREAS, the purpose of the Delaware Interscholastic Athletic Association (DIAA) is to promote the educational significance of interscholastic athletics and provide leadership by prioritizing health and safety, academics, leadership, and sportsmanship; and

WHEREAS, membership in DIAA consists of 61 high schools and 55 middle schools across all three counties; and

WHEREAS, in 2021 – 2022, DIAA organized and conducted 36 boys’ and girls’ state championships, sponsored 26 sports which involved approximately 1,102 teams, 29,965 participants in 282 contests, and over 100,000 spectators; and

WHEREAS, interscholastic athletics provide an opportunity for middle and secondary school students to participate on an athletic team regardless of the student’s financial status or geographic location; and

WHEREAS, participation in sports helps students develop physical skills, reduce stress, increase self-confidence, build healthy habits, and learn teamwork; and

WHEREAS, it is the responsibility of DIAA to ensure student athletes are able to participate in interscholastic sports in a safe, healthy, and supportive environment.

NOW THEREFORE:

BE IT RESOLVED by the Delaware State Senate of the 152 ^nd General Assembly, the House of Representatives concurring therein, that the Delaware Interscholastic Athletic Association (DIAA) Task Force (“Task Force”) is established to study and make findings and recommendations to best address the needs of student athletes and ensure the effective and efficient functioning of DIAA.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Task Force comprises the following members, or a designee selected by a member serving by virtue of position:

1. A State Senator from the Majority Caucus, appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, who serves as co-chair.

2. A State Senator from the Minority Caucus, appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate.

3. A State Representative from the Majority Caucus, appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, who serves as co-chair.

4. A State Representative from the Minority Caucus, appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

5. The Secretary of the Delaware Department of Education.

6. The Executive Director of the Delaware Interscholastic Athletic Association (DIAA).

7. The Chair of the Delaware Interscholastic Athletic Association (DIAA) Board of Directors.

8. The Executive Director of the State Council for Persons with Disabilities.

9. The Director of the Division of Research of Legislative Council.

10. An official currently authorized to referee DIAA interscholastic games, appointed by the Secretary of the Delaware Department of Education.

11. Two Delaware school superintendents, appointed by the Governor.

12. Two Delaware interscholastic athletic directors, appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

13. Two interscholastic coaches, appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate.

14. Three parents or guardians of students currently participating in a Delaware scholastic athletic program, appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate.

A member serving by virtue of position who is granted the ability to designate another individual to attend a Task Force meeting must provide the designation in writing to the Co-Chairs. An individual attending a meeting for a member serving by virtue of position has the same duties and rights as a member serving by virtue of position.

A quorum of the Task Force is a majority of the members of the Task Force.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Task Force shall examine and recommend a course of action to address all of the following related to DIAA:

1. Board management.

2. Committee structure.

3. Complaint and waiver processes.

4. Staffing and support needs.

5. Financial analysis and fee restructuring.

6. Effectiveness of regulations and frequency of updates.

7. Any other topic identified by the co-chairs as relevant to the Task Force.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that:

1. Official action by the Task Force, including making findings and recommendations, requires the approval of a

majority of the members of the Task Force.

2. The Task Force may adopt rules necessary for its operation.

3. The co-chairs of the Task Force are responsible for guiding the administration of the Task Force by doing, at a

minimum, all of the following:

a. Setting a date, time, and place for the initial organizational meeting.

b. Supervising the preparation and distribution of meeting notices, agendas, minutes, correspondence, and reports of the Task Force.

c. Sending to the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the Director of the Division of Research of Legislative Council, after the first meeting of the Task Force, a list of the members of the Task Force and the person who appointed them

d. Providing meeting notices, agendas, and minutes to the Director of the Division of Research of Legislative Council.

e. Ensuring that the final report of the Task Force is submitted to the President Pro Tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, with copies to all members of the General Assembly; the Governor; the Director and the Librarian of the Division of Research of Legislative Council; and the Delaware Public Archives.

4. The Task Force shall hold its first meeting no later than May 15, 2023.

5. The General Assembly is responsible for providing reasonable and necessary support staff, including a

legislative attorney, and materials for the Task Force to carry out its mission.

The co-chairs of the Task Force shall compile a report containing a summary of the Task Force’s work regarding the issues assigned to it, including any findings and recommendations related to those issues, and submit the report no later than December 31, 2023.

SPONSOR:	Sen. Poore & Rep. Longhurst
Sens. Hoffner, Mantzavinos, Pinkney, Sokola, Sturgeon; Reps. Bolden, Dukes, Hilovsky, Ramone, D. Short