Missouri committee hears Senate Bill 63 to let homeschooled students join school sports and activities

Sen. Ben Brown, who identified himself on the record as a state senator and the bill presenter, told the House Committee on Elementary and Secondary Education that Senate Bill 63 would require school districts not to prohibit a homeschool or full‑time virtual student from participating in athletic or extracurricular programs funded in part by taxes the student’s family pays. “It provides to the school district that it shall not prohibit a home school or full time virtual school student from participating in the athletic or extra curricular programs that are funded in part by their parents tax dollars,” Brown said.

The senator framed the measure as restoring access for students who are educated at home and are currently blocked from school activities by inconsistent local policies. Brown told the committee that school disciplinary policies and attendance requirements tied directly to a specific activity would remain in force under the bill. “While it provides access to these programs, it also states that school disciplinary policies would still apply,” Brown said.

Members questioned how the bill would interact with existing Missouri School Activities (MSHA)…