Senate 689

WEST virginia legislature

2026 regular session

Committee Substitute

for

Senate Bill 689

By Senator Grady

[Reported February 26, 2026, from the Committee on Education]

A BILL to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding a new section, designated §18-2-25f, relating to the creation of the West Virginia Homeschool Student Athletics Participation Act; providing for a short title; providing for a purpose; setting forth definitions; providing conditions under which homeschool students who are participants of a homeschool athletic organization may participate in regular-season interscholastic athletic contests against West Virginia Secondary School Activities Commission member schools and additional parameters for such participation; and setting forth West Virginia Secondary School Activities Commission responsibilities for implementation and oversight.

Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:

ARTICLE 2. STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION.

§18-2-25f. West Virginia Homeschool Student Athletics Participation Act.

(a) Short title. — This section shall be known as the West Virginia Homeschool Student Athletics Participation Act.

(b) Purpose. — The purpose of this section is to allow homeschool students who are participants of organized homeschool athletic teams to participate in interscholastic athletic competitions with West Virginia Secondary School Activities Commission (WVSSAC) member schools while ensuring that homeschool teams do not affect official WVSSAC rankings, standings, or postseason play and that the participation is voluntary for the WVSSAC member school.

(c) Definitions. — For the purposes of this section:

"Homeschool student" means a student receiving an education in accordance with §18-8-1(c), (m), or (n) of this code through a home instruction program.

"Homeschool organization" means a recognized association or league of homeschool teams that provides oversight and governance for homeschool sports programs.

"WVSSAC" means the West Virginia Secondary School Activities Commission, the governing body for secondary school interscholastic athletics in the state.

"Member school" means a public or private school that is a recognized member of the WVSSAC.

(d) Participation of homeschool organizations in interscholastic sports. —

(1) Homeschool students who are participants in a homeschool athletic organization shall be permitted to participate in regular-season interscholastic athletic contests against WVSSAC member schools if:

(A) The homeschool athletic organization has guidelines applicable to health, safety, and eligibility requirements that are similar to those required of WVSSAC member schools;

(B) The homeschool team agrees to abide by WVSSAC rules and policies concerning game conduct, officiating, and scheduling;

(C) Any homeschool team participating provides proof of insurance coverage similar to WVSSAC member schools; and

(D) The WVSSAC member school is willing to schedule the athletic contest against the homeschool organization or team consistent with §18-2-25f(d)(3) of this code.

(2) Homeschool organizations and teams participating under this section may not:

(A) Be included in any official WVSSAC rankings, points systems, standings, or statistical records;

(B) Be eligible for WVSSAC postseason competitions, including, but not limited to, sectionals, regionals, and state championships; or

(C) Affect the official record, win-loss tally, or statistical standings of WVSSAC member schools, though results of contests may be recorded separately for historical purposes.

(3) A WVSSAC member school may voluntarily choose whether to schedule games against a homeschool organization or team without penalty or mandatory participation requirements.

(e) Implementation and oversight. —

(1) The WVSSAC shall oversee the implementation of this section and provide guidance to member schools on how to incorporate homeschool team participation in a manner consistent with WVSSAC policies.

(2) The WVSSAC shall ensure that all homeschool organizations wishing to participate meet the basic eligibility criteria outlined in this section.

(3) Any disputes arising from the application of this section shall be reviewed by a WVSSAC-designated committee, with final decisions being subject to appeal to the West Virginia State Board of Education.