HB236 Alabama 2015 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Mike Ball

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2015

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

HB236 creates the Tim Tebow Act to let homeschooled or church-school students participate in public K-12 extracurricular athletics and teams under the same rules as public school students.

What This Bill Does

The bill lets students taught at home by a private tutor or under church school law join athletic activities at public schools or eligible nonpublic schools. They must register with the local district, pay the same participation fees, and follow the same behavior, academic, and residency standards as other athletes. They must commit to participate in only one public school for the school year (though they can take part in multiple activities at that school), and standards begin in the first semester of 7th grade. District insurance would cover these students, and participating teams cannot be blocked from competing against other schools; nonpublic schools may also permit such participation.

Who It Affects

• Students taught at home by a private tutor or under church school law: gain eligibility to participate in public or permitted nonpublic school athletic activities, subject to registration, fees, standards, and residency rules.
• Public and nonpublic schools and local boards of education: must administer enrollment, fees, standards, and insurance for these students, ensure eligibility rules apply, and maintain fair competition with other schools.

Key Provisions

• Defines extracurricular activities as school-authorized athletics and athletic teams.
• Allows a home-taught or church-school student to participate in athletics and on athletic teams sponsored by a public or permitted nonpublic school.
• Requires registration with the local school district, payment of participation fees, and adherence to the same behavior, academic, and residency standards as other participants; felony or delinquent acts may affect eligibility per district policy.
• Requires insurance coverage for these students through the school district, with any additional premium paid by the student if applicable.
• Mandates that a student commit to participating in only one public school for the school year (though multiple activities at that school are allowed), and that standards begin in the first semester of 7th grade.
• Allows participation in nonpublic schools if those schools permit it, and prohibits impediment to competition between schools.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Education