Senate Bill 1822 amends Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 49, to allow high school students enrolled in certain private schools to participate in interscholastic athletics at public high schools within their local education agency (LEA). Specifically, the bill stipulates that if a public high school is a member of an organization regulating interscholastic athletics, the LEA must permit participation for students who are enrolled in private schools with fewer than 200 students, meet eligibility requirements, and reside within the LEA's geographic boundaries. Additionally, if a public high school is not a member of such an organization, the LEA must still allow participation for students from qualifying private schools who are zoned to attend that public high school.

The bill clarifies that participation does not guarantee a student will make the team, nor does it interfere with the authority of coaches and school officials in team selection. Furthermore, it maintains that organizations and associations retain the authority to determine eligibility and enforce their rules. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2026, and will apply to the 2026-2027 school year and subsequent years.