MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2002 Regular Session

To: Education

By: Representative Guice

House Bill 17

AN ACT TO REQUIRE LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO ALLOW HOME SCHOOL STUDENTS TO PARTICIPATE IN SPORTS ACTIVITIES; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

     BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

     SECTION 1.  (1)  As used in this section, the phrase "home school student" means a child taught by private teachers, parents, guardians or custodians in a legitimate home instruction program as defined in the Mississippi Compulsory School Attendance Law (Section 37-13-91).

     (2)  Upon the request of a parent, guardian or legal custodian of a home school student, A local school board must register the student in a public school for purposes of participating in any sports activities available to students in the home school student's grade.  A home school student applying for registration in a public school to participate in a sports activity or activities must reside within the attendance boundaries of the school in which the student is seeking registration.  A request for registration in a public school under this section must be submitted by the parent, guardian or legal custodian before May 1, for participation in the sports activity in the following school year.

     (3)  This section may not be construed to require any home school student to register with any school district for sports activity purposes.

     SECTION 2.  This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2002.