Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that authorizes a student who receives home instruction to participate in interscholastic programs at a public school.

Highlights:

• Prohibits a public school from becoming a member of an organization that governs interscholastic programs unless the school allows participation in interscholastic programs by students who receive home instruction and meet additional requirements including, but not limited to, the following requirements (Sec. 1):
• The student has demonstrated evidence of progress in the compliance with the required assessments under Virginia law for at least 2 consecutive academic years immediately preceding the academic year the student seeks to participate;
• The student has not reached the age of 19 by August 1 of the current academic year; and 
• The student is an amateur who receives no compensation but participates solely for the educational, physical, mental, and social benefits of the activity. 

• Requires the participation in interscholastic programs for a student receiving home school instruction to be limited to the attendance zone in which the student lives (Sec. 1).

• Authorizes a local school board to establish policies that govern the participation of a student who receives home instruction and his or her participation in interscholastic programs (Sec. 1).

• Authorizes a school to charge “reasonable fees” to a student receiving home instruction who participates in an interscholastic program for the purpose of covering the costs of additional insurance, uniforms, or equipment (Sec. 1).

• Repeals the provisions of this bill on July 1, 2019 (Sec. 2).

Full Bill Text