The bill introduced on February 14, 2025, aims to amend the Code of West Virginia by adding a new section, 18-2-25f, which addresses the participation of students, coaching staff, and athletic trainers in non-school athletic activities. The legislation emphasizes that while school-sponsored extracurricular sports are voluntary, individuals associated with school sports teams should not be restricted from pursuing additional opportunities to develop or showcase their athletic skills.

Furthermore, the bill asserts that prohibiting participation in non-school-sponsored events as a condition for being part of a school-sponsored team is arbitrary and lacks a rational basis related to state interests. It explicitly states that county boards of education and the West Virginia Secondary School Activities Commission cannot impose restrictions on students, coaches, or athletic trainers regarding their involvement in non-school-sponsored competitions or teams while being associated with school-sponsored activities.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 18-2-25f