CHAPTER 14. INTERSCHOLASTIC ATHLETIC ASSOCIATIONS
IC 20-26-14
Chapter 14. Interscholastic Athletic Associations
IC 20-26-14-1
"Association"
Sec. 1. As used in this chapter, "association" means anorganization that conducts, organizes, sanctions, or sponsorsinterscholastic high school athletic events as the organization'sprimary purpose.
As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.10.
IC 20-26-14-2
"Case"
Sec. 2. As used in this chapter, "case" refers to a decision of theassociation:
(1) that concerns the application or interpretation of a rule ofthe association to an individual student; and
(2) with which the student's parent disagrees.
As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.10.
IC 20-26-14-3
"Panel"
Sec. 3. As used in this chapter, "panel" refers to the case reviewpanel established under section 6 of this chapter.
As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.10.
IC 20-26-14-4
"State superintendent"
Sec. 4. As used in this chapter, "state superintendent" refers to thestate superintendent of public instruction.
As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.10.
IC 20-26-14-5
Participation in association by schools
Sec. 5. A school corporation may participate in:
(1) an association; or
(2) an athletic event conducted, organized, sanctioned, orsponsored by an association;
if the association complies with this chapter.
As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.10.
IC 20-26-14-5.5
Association notification requirements
Sec. 5.5. (a) Not later than three (3) business days after theassociation makes a decision concerning the application orinterpretation of a rule of the association to an individual student, theassociation shall notify by registered or certified mail the followingof the association's decision:
(1) The student's parent.
(2) The student's school. (b) In its notice to the parent under subsection (a)(1), theassociation shall include information about the process under thischapter for appealing the association's decision.
(c) The association shall conduct its investigation, review, anddecision making in an expeditious manner.
As added by P.L.92-2010, SEC.1.
IC 20-26-14-6
Case review panel; membership; meetings; decisions of panel
Sec. 6. (a) The association must establish a case review panel thatmeets the following requirements:
(1) The panel has nine (9) members.
(2) The state superintendent or the state superintendent'sdesignee is a member of the panel and is the chairperson of thepanel.
(3) The state superintendent appoints as members of the panelpersons having the following qualifications:
(A) Four (4) parents of high school students.
(B) Two (2) high school principals.
(C) Two (2) high school athletic directors.
(4) The state superintendent shall administer the functions ofthe panel.
(5) A member of the panel serves for a four (4) year term,subject to the following:
(A) An appointee who ceases to meet the member'squalification under subdivision (3) ceases to be a member ofthe panel.
(B) The state superintendent shall appoint fifty percent(50%) of the initial appointees under each clause insubdivision (3) for terms of two (2) years, so that terms ofthe panel are staggered.
(6) The panel must meet monthly, unless there are no casesbefore the panel. The panel may meet more frequently at thecall of the chairperson. However, the chairperson must call ameeting within five (5) business days, or as soon thereafter asa quorum can be assembled, after the panel receives a case inwhich time is a factor in relation to the scheduling of an athleticcompetition.
(7) A quorum of the panel is five (5) members. The affirmativevote of the greater of the majority present or four (4) membersof the panel is required for the panel to take action.
(b) A student's parent who disagrees with a decision of theassociation concerning the application or interpretation of a rule ofthe association to the student shall have the right to do one (1) of thefollowing:
(1) Accept the decision.
(2) Refer the case to the panel. The parent must refer the caseto the panel not later than thirty (30) days after the date of theassociation's decision.
(c) After a case is referred under subsection (b)(2), the panel must
do the following:
(1) Collect testimony and information on the case, includingtestimony and information from both the association and theparent.
(2) Place the case on the panel's agenda and consider the caseat a meeting of the panel.
(3) Not later than ten (10) business days after the meeting atwhich the panel considers the case, issue a written decision thatdoes one (1) of the following:
(A) Upholds the association's decision on the case.
(B) Modifies the association's decision on the case.
(C) Nullifies the association's decision on the case.
(d) Subject to section 7 of this chapter, the association mustimplement the decision of the panel on each case. However, adecision of the panel:
(1) applies only to the case before the panel; and
(2) does not affect any rule of the association or decision underany rule concerning any student other than the student whoseparent referred the case to the panel.
(e) The association shall pay all costs attributable to the operationof the panel, including travel and a stipend of at least fifty dollars($50) for each meeting for panel members.
As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.10. Amended by P.L.92-2010, SEC.2.
IC 20-26-14-7
Legal actions
Sec. 7. (a) If the association or the parent who referred a case tothe panel under section 6(b)(2) of this chapter disagrees with thedecision of the panel, the association or the parent may file a legalaction to review the panel's decision.
(b) An action must be filed under subsection (a) with a court withjurisdiction not later than forty-five (45) days after the panel issuesits decision under section 6(c) of this chapter.
(c) In an action brought under this section, the court may reversethe panel's decision if the court, upon its own review of the facts andissues involved in the decision and the applicable rule of theassociation, determines that the decision of the panel, or the decisionof the association upheld by the panel, is:
(1) not a fair and logical interpretation or application of theassociation's rule;
(2) arbitrary, capricious, an abuse of discretion, or otherwise notin accordance with law;
(3) contrary to a constitutional right, power, privilege, orimmunity;
(4) in excess of statutory jurisdiction, authority, or limitations,or short of statutory right;
(5) without observance of procedure required by law; or
(6) unsupported by substantial evidence.
(d) The court reviewing a panel decision under this section maydo any of the following: (1) Affirm the panel's decision.
(2) Modify the panel's decision.
(3) Reverse the panel's decision and remand the action to thepanel for action directed by the court.
(e) Notwithstanding this chapter, if an association fails to followits bylaws regarding hearing and appeals procedures, a student or thestudent's parent may proceed directly to a court with jurisdiction toresolve a dispute.
As added by P.L.92-2010, SEC.3.