FHSAA

A new state law could help short-circuit a legal battle about whether the school was improperly barred from offering a prayer over a stadium loudspeaker before a 2016 high-school football championship game.

Proposed legislation would shrink the FHSAA board of directors, allow prayers before sporting events for all to hear, and allow schools to join other sports organizations.

Bill sponsor Jay Collins, R-Tampa, said the bill is intended to provide state “oversight” of the athletics board.

Here's what experts have to say after the effort to force athletes to give information about their menstrual cycles sparked nationwide opposition.

The Florida High School Athletic Association's board of directors has voted to remove questions about athletes' menstrual history from a required health form for participation in school sports.

The high school sports governing body in Florida will hold an emergency meeting on Thursday to decide whether to adopt the form.

It comes as an appeals court prepares to hear arguments in a battle between the Florida High School Athletic Association Cambridge Christian School in Tampa.

The Tampa school went to the Atlanta-based 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals last year after a federal judge backed a decision by the FHSAA to prevent a prayer over the loudspeaker.

The response comes after learning about a form the association requires students fill out before playing sports. It now includes questions about genitalia and menstrual cycles. There is concern health privacy could be violated.

It cited legal precedents, including U.S. Supreme Court ruling in favor of a high school football coach who lost his job after praying on the field after games.

In the past, all COVID-19 exposed students faced mandatory quarantines.

It was temporarily postponed during its last committee stop, and its sponsor says there may not be enough time to revisit it this session.