SB186 Alabama 2013 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Shadrack McGill

Republican

Co-Sponsors

Rusty GloverBryan TaylorDick BrewbakerTrip Pittman

Session

Regular Session 2013

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

SB186 would allow students taught at home or in church schools to participate in public school athletics and athletic teams under the same rules as public school students.

What This Bill Does

It defines extracurricular as school-authorized athletics and teams and allows home-schooled or church-school taught students to join these activities in public or nonpublic schools that permit participation. Participating students must register with the local school district, pay the same participation fees, and meet the same behavior, academic, and residency standards as other participants, starting in 7th grade. A student may participate in only one public-school activity for the school year (though they can engage in multiple activities at the same school) and must maintain eligibility rules. The bill also extends school insurance to cover these students and ensures teams are not impeded from competing; it permits participation in nonpublic schools if allowed by those schools.

Who It Affects

• Students instructed at home by a private tutor or under church school law would be eligible to participate in public or permitted nonpublic school athletics and teams.
• Public school districts and school boards would administer registration, fees, eligibility, residency, behavior and academic standards, provide insurance coverage, and ensure participation does not hinder competition with other schools.

Key Provisions

• Extracurricular is defined to include only athletic programs for individuals or team sports and would be open to home-taught or church-school students.
• Participating students must register with the local district, pay the same participation/activity fees as public-school participants, and meet the same standards of behavior, responsibility, performance, conduct, academics, and residency as other participants.
• A participating student must commit to and only participate in that extracurricular activity at one public school for the school year, but may participate in different activities at the same public school.
• Student eligibility standards for interscholastic athletic activities begin in the first semester of the 7th grade, with applicable rules for transfers and disciplinary issues.
• Insurance coverage provided by the school district would extend to these students, with any additional premium paid by the student.
• No public school team using these students would be impeded from competing against other public or private school teams; nonpublic schools may permit participation if allowed.
• Public school includes nonpublic schools if the nonpublic school permits participation; the bill clarifies local-fund expenditure rules under Amendment 621 and states the act would be effective immediately upon 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