Committee advances bill letting homeschool students join public career‑tech classes

House Bill 61, sponsored by Representative Debose, would let homeschooled and other nontraditional students attend career‑technical education programs offered in public schools, provided local school districts adopt policies to implement the change.

Representative Debose, the bill—s sponsor, said the measure would be implemented "similarly to the Tim Tebow rule that allows homeschooled athletes to participate in public school sports" and directs the State Board of Education to adopt rules to administer the program. "The bill also states that currently enrolled students would have first priority," Debose said.

The committee adopted a friendly amendment offered by Representative Sison McHugh that requires homeschool students to pay any materials or class fees just as public school students do. "If you go to the class, you pay the fee, whatever it is," McHugh said when explaining the change. Representative Stoves seconded the amendment, and the committee approved it by voice vote.

Representative Drummond asked for clarification on prioritization and fees. Debose responded: "Currently enrolled public school students would have priority for the career tech programs in their district so that if there's...not space, the homeschool student would not be able to take the place of a public school student." Debose also said she had discussed the fee issue with homeschool associations and that many career‑tech programs may not charge fees or that any materials fees would be incidental.

After discussion the committee voted by voice to give the bill a favorable report as amended.

The measure assigns implementation responsibilities to the State Board of Education and requires each local board of education to adopt a policy that reflects the law's requirements. The bill's sponsor said state education agencies and associations, and the lieutenant governor's office, support the proposal as aligned with workforce preparation goals.