An Act concerning the establishment of interscholastic adapted athletic programs and supplementing chapter 11 of Title 18A of the New Jersey Statutes.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
C.18A:11-3.2 Findings, declarations relative to adapted athletic programs.
1. The Legislature finds and declares that high school athletics often serve an integral role in the development of students. In addition to providing healthy forms of exercise, high school athletics foster friendships and camaraderie while promoting sportsmanship and fair play and instill the value of competition. The benefits and values of participating in high school athletics should be actively promoted and made available to all students, regardless of cognitive or physical limitations.
C.18A:11-3.3 Interscholastic adapted athletic programs.
2. The New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association, in consultation with the American Association of Adapted Sports Programs, shall establish interscholastic athletic programs adapted for participation by student-athletes with physical disabilities or visual impairments who are participating in an adapted athletic program developed by a school district. The New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association shall require any coach of an adapted athletic program to receive training specific to that program.
3. This act shall take effect immediately.
Approved August 6, 2009.