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Bill would let seventh and eighth graders play high school sports when 'ready'; committee hears safety, logistics concerns

Nebraska Legislature Education Committee · February 2, 2026
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Summary

LB 7 42 would allow seventh‑ and eighth‑grade students to participate in high school athletic programs on a case‑by‑case basis if school officials document skill, medical clearance and parental consent; sponsor emphasized flexibility for small schools while witnesses urged NSAA coordination and safety safeguards.

Sen. Terrell McKinney told the Education Committee LB 7 42 aims to expand athletic opportunity for younger students whose skill, size or development exceed middle‑school offerings, while building in safety and administrative guardrails.

The bill would require school policies to permit participation only after written parental consent, coach or athletic director approval based on sports‑specific readiness, documented medical clearance and compliance with existing athletic association rules. For contact sports, the bill adds heightened review requirements. McKinney filed a committee amendment to make the provision discretionary ("may") so local districts could opt in rather than being mandated.

Proponents — including the Nebraska Association of School Boards (which shifted from opposition to neutral after the sponsor's discretionary amendment) — argued the measure helps small and rural schools that struggle to field teams and provides individual students better developmental pathways. Several witnesses pointed to girls who mature earlier and small schools where participation is the only pathway to continued engagement.

Opponents and cautions: Testimony warned about safety, locker room logistics, social dynamics between younger and older students, and the desirability of a uniform NSAA policy rather than piecemeal local rules. Questions from committee members focused on eligibility effects (how early participation affects long‑term eligibility), special‑case protections for contact sports, and whether any states had reversed similar policies.

Outcome: The committee closed the hearing on LB 7 42 after wide testimony; the sponsor emphasized working with NSAA and left the bill flexible for districts that want to opt in.

Provenance: testimony from SEG 2582 to SEG 3160.

Speakers (first appearance): Senator Terrell McKinney — SEG 2592; Colby Coash (Nebraska Association of School Boards) — SEG 2937.

Authorities: NSAA rules (referenced); state school governance statutes (general).