This bill amends the eligibility requirements for homeschooled students and students transferring schools to participate in interscholastic and extracurricular activities, particularly athletic activities, at public and private schools in Arkansas. Key changes include the requirement that homeschooled students must be approved to participate by May 1 of the school year for which they will be enrolled in grades seven through ten, rather than the previous deadline of July 1. If not approved by this date, they will be ineligible to participate in varsity athletic activities for up to 365 days. Additionally, the bill specifies that students transferring to nonpublic schools must also enroll by May 1 to be immediately eligible for athletic activities.

The bill also introduces a new section regarding the transfer of students to nonpublic schools, outlining the process for completing a Changing Schools/Athletic Participation form, which must be signed by relevant parties unless there is evidence of recruiting for athletic purposes. The amendments aim to streamline the eligibility process and ensure that schools can adequately plan for student participation in extracurricular activities. An emergency clause is included, emphasizing the need for timely decisions regarding school transfers to facilitate proper planning for the upcoming school year.

Statutes affected:
HB 1633: 6-15-509(c), 6-15-509(h), 6-15-510(e), 6-18-227(m), 6-18-1904(f)