Bill > H4145

This bill, concerning athletic activities of students with disabilities, amends existing law to ensure that students with disabilities have equal opportunities in school athletic programs. It defines key terms such as "adapted program" (a program developed for a student with a disability), "mainstream athletic program" (regular school sports activities), "mainstream physical education program" (standard physical education classes), and "unified sports or inclusive program" (programs designed to combine students with and without disabilities). The bill mandates that school districts must provide students with disabilities equal opportunities to participate in mainstream physical education and athletic programs, including offering reasonable modifications, aids, or services to facilitate their inclusion. It also requires that adapted or unified sports programs be available. Exceptions to these requirements can be made only if a student's inclusion poses an objective safety risk or fundamentally alters the nature of the mainstream program, based on an individualized assessment. Furthermore, the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association, in collaboration with organizations like Special Olympics Massachusetts, may establish interscholastic athletic programs for student-athletes with intellectual or developmental disabilities participating in unified sports, and may require coaches of these programs to undergo specific training.