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2015 SESSION

15101628D
HOUSE BILL NO. 1626
Offered January 14, 2015
Prefiled January 8, 2015
A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Chapter 1 of Title 22.1 a section numbered 22.1-7.2, relating to participation in public school interscholastic programs by students receiving home instruction.
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Patrons-- Bell, Robert B., Ramadan, Anderson, Bell, Richard P., Berg, Cox, DeSteph, Gilbert, Greason, Head, Jones, Knight, Landes, LaRock, Massie, Minchew, Morris, Pogge, Poindexter, Ransone, Robinson, Stolle and Wright
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Referred to Committee on Education
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Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding in Chapter 1 of Title 22.1 a section numbered 22.1-7.2 as follows:

§ 22.1-7.2. Participation in public school interscholastic programs by students receiving home instruction.

A. Notwithstanding any bylaw, rule, regulation, or policy of any organization that currently organizes and governs interscholastic programs among the public high schools, each local school board may deem eligible for participation in interscholastic programs any student who (i) is receiving home instruction pursuant to § 22.1-254.1; (ii) has demonstrated evidence of progress in compliance with subsection C of § 22.1-254.1 for at least two consecutive academic years immediately preceding the academic year during which the student seeks to participate; (iii) is in compliance with the immunization requirements set forth in § 22.1-271.4; (iv) is entitled to free tuition in a public school pursuant to § 22.1-3; (v) has not reached the age of 19 by August 1 of the current academic year; (vi) is an amateur who receives no compensation but participates solely for the educational, physical, mental, and social benefits of the activity; (vii) complies with all disciplinary rules and is subject to all codes of conduct applicable to all public high school athletes; and (viii) complies with all other rules governing awards, all-star games, maximum consecutive semesters of high school enrollment, parental consents, physical examinations, and transfers applicable to all high school athletes. Eligibility of a student receiving home instruction shall be limited to participation in interscholastic programs at the school serving the attendance zone in which the student lives and shall be subject to all policies governing such participation that the local school board may establish.

B. Reasonable fees may be charged to students receiving home instruction to cover the costs of participation in such interscholastic programs, including the costs of additional insurance, uniforms, or equipment.