Vetoed by Governor Terry McAuliffe

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

A vote to pass a bill that authorizes home-schooled students to participate in public school interscholastic programs.

Highlights:

• Prohibits public schools from becoming members of any organization or entity that prohibits home-schooled students from participating in interscholastic programs, provided that the student meets the following criteria (Sec. 1):
• Student receives home instruction pursuant to state law;
• Student has demonstrated evidence of progress for at least two consecutive academic years  in compliance with state law;
• Student is in compliance with the immunization requirements of state law;
• Student is entitled to free tuition in public school;
• Student has not reached the age of 19 by August 1 of the current academic year;
• Student is an amateur who receives no monetary compensation and participates solely for the benefits of the activity;
• Student is in compliance with all disciplinary rules and is subject to all codes of conduct applicable to all public high school athletes; and
• Student complies with all other rules including governing awards, all-star games, maximum consecutive semesters of high school enrollment, parental consents, physical examinations, and transfer applicable to all high school athletes.

• Authorizes local school boards to establish a policy permitting students residing in the school division who receive home institution to participate in interscholastic programs (Sec. 1).

• Requires that home-schooled students only participate in interscholastic programs that are available in the attendance zone which the student lives and be subject to all governing policies that the local school board may establish (Sec. 1).

• Authorizes public schools to charge home-schooled students reasonable fees to cover the costs of participation in interscholastic programs (Sec. 1). 

Full Bill Text