H.4497 creates the Student Interscholastic Activities Fund, which would provide financial assistance to high school students by covering expenses related to extracurricular activities, including fees, dues, equipment, uniforms, etc. The fund would be overseen by the Department of Education. To qualify for assistance, students must be eligible for free or reduced lunch programs or come from families who are eligible for Medicaid. Funding would be determined by the General Assembly, and the fund balance could not exceed $7 million.
Financial assistance programs should be created and funded by the private sector. This is a very inappropriate use of taxpayer dollars, and outside the proper role of government.