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Section 4. To remain eligible to maintain the designation as the agent to manage interscholastic athletics at the middle school level, the KHSAA shall implement the following requirements for all participants in middle school interscholastic athletics, distribute these requirements to all middle schools, and publish via the KHSAA Web site:
(1) Require that these provisions apply to all middle school interscholastic athletics. The following indicates that a team is representative of a school and classified as middle school athletics:
(a) The contest, event, or tournament is sponsored by a school or combined group of schools;
(b) Competitors wear a school issued uniform;
© The contest, event, or tournament is sponsored by an outside entity as a school entry event, which is advertised or promoted as a school event, whether or not an entry fee is required;
(d) A school entity pays an entry fee, for the student or team, including payment by booster organizations;
(e) A school representative accompanies the student-athlete or transports the student-athlete to the contest, event, or tournament;
(f) A designated or hired member of a school coaching staff, whether paid or unpaid, is present and offering instruction, advice, evaluation, or refinement of skills or exercising other duties defined as coaching within the sport rules;
(g) Transportation to or from the contest, event, or tournament utilizes school provided or approved transportation;
(h) Competitors in the contest, event, or tournament wear apparel identifying them by the name of the school, including the formal name, informal name, or team nickname;
(i) Competitors in the contest, event, or tournament are provided promotional or other resources by the school including school media recognition, signage, and items clearly indicative of school representation;
(j) Competition in a contest, event, or tournament has, in any form, jurisdiction of the local school board or school based decision making body, including financial or other approval control; or
(k) Competition in a contest, event, or tournament is covered by any school or school system provided or procured insurance policy;
(2) Require that any head or assistant coach, whether paid or unpaid, desiring to coach interscholastic athletics at the middle school level:
(a) Meet the requirements of KRS 156.070(2)(f)2.;
(b) Meet the requirements of KRS 160.380(4) and (6); and
© Provide to the school documentation of successful completion of a C.P.R. course including the use of an automatic external defibrillator and the first aid training, conducted by an instructor or program approved by a college or university, the American Red Cross, the American Heart Association, or other bona fide accrediting agency that is approved by the KHSAA based upon industry standards. Initial certification shall use in-person instruction and certification shall be updated as required by the approving agency;
(3) Require the adherence to the following items regarding safety, sports medicine, and risk minimization for all interscholastic athletics at the middle school level:
(a) Each student, prior to trying for a place on a middle school athletic team, shall provide an annual medical examination, in accordance with KRS 156.070(2)(d), and shall use the KHSAA form PPE;
(b) All participants at the middle school level shall adhere to all sports medicine and risk minimization policies in use at the high school level that may be supplemented by the school, school district, conference, or association including:
1. Heat index and heat illness programs;
2. Wrestling weight management programs;
3. Concussion and other head injury policies including policies for minimizing impact exposure and concussion risks;
4. The following football drill work and practice activity limitations:
a. Football contact and non-contact practice shall use the appropriate clothing and equipment for the level of drill, including:
(i) A drill conducted in helmets-only shall be a Level 0, air, or Level 1, bags;
(ii) A drill conducted in shells (shorts, shoulder pads, and helmets) shall be a non-contact drill; and
(iii) A contact drill shall be conducted in full equipment;
b. Middle school football shall practice a minimum of eleven (11) days before engaging another group or opponent in full contact, using the following minimum schedule:
(i) Five (5) days in helmets;
(ii) Followed by three (3) days in helmets and shoulder pads; and
(iii) Concluding with three (3) days in full equipment practice; and
c. Contact drills shall not be conducted more than twenty-one (21) days before the first regular season contest; and
5. Beginning with the 2017-2018 school year, teams participating in middle school athletics as defined by subsection (1) of this section shall use KHSAA licensed officials in the sports of baseball, basketball, field hockey, football, soccer, softball, and volleyball;
(4) Create a permanent Middle School Athletics Advisory Committee. This committee shall:
(a) Be autonomous with respect to the Board of Control of the KHSAA;
(b) Be composed of no less than three (3) middle school representatives from each Supreme Court district as well as no less than three (3) at large representatives from throughout the state;
© Provide an opportunity for nonprofit athletic groups, parents, and others to participate and provide input on the sport, athletic event, or athletes involved in interscholastic activities through local school districts;
(d) Meet not less than twice annually to review current programs and policies; make recommendations for improvements to and participation in middle school interscholastic activities, as well as any changes in statute, administrative regulation, or policy related to middle school interscholastic athletics; and assist in the development of model guidelines for schools, districts, conferences, and associations to be used in implementing a middle school athletic program; and
(e) Report regularly, not less than annually, to the commissioner of the KHSAA and issue, in conjunction with the commissioner, a formal written report annually to the KBE with recommendations for changes in statute, administrative regulation, or policy;
(5) Require any organization conducting a school based event at the middle school level to submit the following, which shall be published and listed on the KHSAA Web site:
(a) Annual financial reports of all sanctioned and approved events sponsored by the organization; and
(b) Documentation of financial accountability including verification of federal status and tax documents including an annual IRS Form 990;
(6) Provide notice to the middle schools related to any program conducted by KHSAA related to educating school administrators about the provisions of 20 U.S.C. 1681, Title IX;
(7) Provide educational materials and a mechanism to facilitate the monitoring and tracking capabilities for the middle schools to ensure compliance with the provisions of KRS 160.445 and other requirements for coaches at the middle school level;
(8) Require any student enrolled initially in grade five (5) through eight (8) who is repeating a grade for any reason, to be ineligible, during the school year that the grade is repeated, to compete in interscholastic competition involving students enrolled in grades six (6) through eight (8);
(9) Require that any student who turns:
(a) Fifteen (15) years of age prior to August 1 of the current school year shall not be eligible for interscholastic athletics in Kentucky in competition against students exclusively enrolled in grades eight (8) and below;
(b) Fourteen (14) years of age prior to August 1 of the current year shall not be eligible for interscholastic athletics in Kentucky in competition against students exclusively enrolled in grades seven (7) and below; and
© Thirteen (13) years of age prior to August 1 of the current school year shall not be eligible for interscholastic athletics in Kentucky in competition against students exclusively enrolled in grades six (6) and below;