Changes have occurred to the existing UIL Acknowledgement of Rules Form and the Medical History Form. Both forms have been altered to include language which indicates that failure to provide accurate and truthful information could subject the participant in question to penalties determined by UIL.

Also, the Medical History Form has been altered to include the following language:

"An individual answering in the affirmative to any question relating to a possible cardiovascular health issue (question five above), as identified on the form, should be restricted from further participation until the individual is examined by the individual's primary care physician. Ultimately, the individual may need to be evaluated by a cardiologist and/or undergo cardiac testing (including an echocardiogram and/or other heart-related examination) based on the assessment by the primary care physician."

In addition, the UIL has created a new form as a result of legislative action. The Parent and Student Notification/Agreement Form For Illegal Steroid Use is a new form, which requires that the student agree to refrain from illegal steroid use as a prerequisite for participation in UIL athletic activities and for the parents to acknowledge that a prerequisite of their students participation in UIL athletic activities is that the student agree to refrain from use of illegal steroids.

All three forms are required effective immediately for the 2005-2006 school year and are available on the UIL website. Students are prohibited from participation (including practice) until they are current on all three forms.

For schools whose students have already completed forms for the 2005-2006 school year, please find the following:

• Acknowledgement of Rules Form - this must be completed on the new form, no exceptions. Schools must have students and parents who have already completed the old form resubmit the Acknowledgement of Rules Form on the new form. Schools are allowed to provide the Parent Information Manual in an electronic format via the UIL website.

• Medical History Form - there is no need to resubmit the Medical History Form if it is already completed. Schools, coaches and athletic trainers must evaluate all completed forms in reference to student answers to question #5 on the Medical History Form relating to cardiac health issues. Any student with an affirmative (yes) answer to any portion of that question should be restricted from further participation until the individual is examined by the individual's primary care physician. Ultimately, the individual may need to be evaluated by a cardiologist and/or undergo cardiac testing (including an echocardiogram and/or other heart-related examination) based on the assessment by the primary care physician.