1. (a)

   1. (1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.
   2. (2) “Agency” means a local education agency serving a population of students at least 80% of which are minority students.
   3. (3) “Minority student” has the meaning stated in regulations adopted by the State Superintendent.

   4. (4) “Youth lacrosse nonprofit organization” means a nonprofit organization that:

      1. (i) Is located in a county with an agency;
      2. (ii) Provides lacrosse opportunities for children under the age of 18; and
      3. (iii) Is recognized by US Lacrosse as a member of the Urban Lacrosse Alliance.

2. (b)

   1. (1) There is a Lacrosse Opportunities Program in the Department.
   2. (2) The purpose of the Lacrosse Opportunities Program is to increase opportunities for minority students to participate in lacrosse in their communities.
3. (c) The State Superintendent shall develop and administer the Lacrosse Opportunities Program.

4. (d)

   1. (1) An agency or a youth lacrosse nonprofit organization may submit an application to the Department to receive a grant for a program that is in furtherance of the purpose of the Lacrosse Opportunities Program.

   2. (2) An application shall include:

      1. (i) A description of the scope and purpose of the proposed program;
      2. (ii) A business plan that includes the estimated total cost of the proposed program; and
      3. (iii) Any other information required by the Department.

5. (e) In awarding a grant under the Lacrosse Opportunities Program, the Department shall:

   1. (1) Require the grantee to provide matching funds from any combination of federal, county, municipal, or private sources; and
   2. (2) Ensure that the grant does not exceed 50% of the total annual cost of the grantee's program.

6. (f) The State Superintendent or the State Superintendent's designee shall:

   1. (1) Review grant applications submitted in accordance with subsection (d) of this section; and
   2. (2) To the extent funds are available, provide grants to agencies and youth lacrosse nonprofit organizations that meet the requirements for a grant under this section.
7. (g) For fiscal year 2014 and each fiscal year thereafter, the Governor may include in the annual budget submission at least $40,000 for the Lacrosse Opportunities Program.
8. (h) The State Superintendent shall adopt regulations to implement this section.

Added by Acts 2012, c. 706, § 1, eff. June 1, 2012. Amended by Acts 2017, c. 551, § 1, eff. July 1, 2017; Acts 2026, c. 6, § 1, eff. June 1, 2026.