Homeschool, private school students could play sports at public schools under new bill

On Wednesday, a bill filed by North Carolina Sens. Ralph Hise, R-Mitchell; Carl Ford, R-Rowan; and Amy Galey, R-Alamance would allow students attending private or homeschool to play sports or other extracurricular activities at their local public school. It also would allow public school kids to play at a different public school if theirs does not offer the specific activity.

Senate Bill 48, titled “Access to Sports and Extracurriculars for All,” aims to expand opportunities for students attending public, private, or home schools that lack specific interscholastic athletic programs or extracurricular activities.

Under the bill, students enrolled in schools without a particular sport or activity would be permitted to participate in that program at a nearby public high school offering it. Specifically, if a public high school does not offer a certain sport, its students may join the sport at the closest public high school that provides the program, adhering to the same terms and conditions as regularly enrolled students.

Similarly, private and homeschooled students would be allowed to participate in sports at their designated base public high school. If that school lacks the desired program, they may join at the nearest public high school that offers it, under the same conditions. The bill also permits these public high schools to charge a reasonable participation fee to non-enrolled students, as determined by the local board of education.

Additionally, the bill mandates that local boards of education publish a schedule of approved fees, charges, and solicitations, including those for non-enrolled students participating in sports and extracurricular activities. This schedule must be posted on the local school administrative unit’s website by October 15 of each school year and updated within 30 days of any revisions.

Senate Bill 48 has been referred to the Committee on Rules and Operations of the Senate for further consideration. If enacted, the legislation would take effect immediately and apply beginning with the 2025-2026 school year.