SB334 Alabama 2011 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

J.T. WaggonerSenator

Republican

Co-Sponsors

Rusty GloverGreg J. ReedShadrack McGillDick Brewbaker

Session

Regular Session 2011

Title

Schools, students taught at home by either private tutor or under church school law may participate in public K-12 extracurricular activities, Tim Tebow Act

Summary

The Tim Tebow Act would allow homeschooled students and students taught in church schools to participate in public K-12 athletics and teams at public or permitted nonpublic schools under the same rules as other students.

What This Bill Does

Defines extracurricular as school-approved athletics and teams and lets homeschooled or church-taught students participate in athletics at public schools or nonpublic schools that permit it. To participate, students must register with the local district, pay the same participation fees, and meet the same behavior, academic, and residency standards as other participants (felony provisions apply per district policy). The school district would provide insurance coverage for these students, with any additional premium paid by the student. The bill ensures teams can compete against other schools and allows participation in permitted nonpublic schools; funding is provided by the school board and the bill is exempt from certain local-funding restrictions.

Who It Affects

• Students taught at home by a private tutor or under church school law would be eligible to join athletics and teams in public or permitted nonpublic schools, subject to registration, fees, and standards.
• Local boards of education, public schools, and nonpublic schools that permit participation would be responsible for registering students, collecting fees, enforcing standards, providing insurance coverage, and ensuring fair competition between schools.

Key Provisions

• Acts as the Tim Tebow Act and defines extracurricular as school-approved athletics and athletic teams.
• Allows home-taught or church-taught students to participate in athletics and teams in public schools or in nonpublic schools that permit participation.
• Participation requires registration with the local board, payment of fees equal to those charged to public participants, adherence to the same behavioral, academic, and residency standards, and district policy regarding felony or delinquent acts.
• Requires documentation of academic standards provided by the tutor or church school administrator and allows participation in curricular activities if required.
• Allows the student to participate in extracurricular activities with insurance coverage provided by the school district; if there is an additional premium, the student pays it.
• No public school team may be impeded from competing against other schools; prohibits discrimination by organizations regulating interscholastic activities.
• A student may participate in a permitted nonpublic school’s extracurricular activities.
• Exempts local-funding approval requirements by Amendment 621/Section 111.05 because expenditures are by the school board.
• Effective immediately after governor's approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 25, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Education