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Senate rejects bill to standardize homeschool student access to extracurriculars
Summary
After extended debate about fairness and administrative burdens, the Senate voted down Senate Bill 61, which would have removed some district-level barriers to homeschooled students trying out for school activities; supporters said it would equalize access, opponents said it created special treatment.
Senate Bill 61, which sought to standardize participation of homeschooled and private-school students in public school extracurricular activities, failed on the Senate floor following an extended exchange.
Senator Madsen, the sponsor, argued the bill simply puts homeschool students "on par with other students" and described multiple testimonials that, in his view, show students are currently excluded in some districts. He said the bill preserves participation as a privilege while reducing procedural burdens.
Senator Morgan responded that the bill creates an unfair advantage by allowing homeschool students to qualify with only a parental note while public and private school students must meet course and GPA requirements. Morgan urged senators to vote against the measure to avoid special treatment.
Proponents countered that disparity in district interpretation of the High School Activities Association rules leaves some students blocked from participation and that the bill aims to create consistency statewide.
The Senate voted 13 in favor and 16 opposed; the bill failed and was filed.
