Bill > S3374

Introduced Session

This bill requires school districts to allow students in grades six through 12 who receive equivalent instruction other than at school, and students who attend charter schools, county vocational schools, or nonpublic schools to participate in interscholastic sports programs in the student's resident district in accordance with the same criteria established for students enrolled in the district. The bill also provides that interscholastic sports programs offered by charter schools, county vocational school districts, and nonpublic schools must be available to students attending other public schools. Under the bill, a student in grades six through 12 who receives equivalent instruction elsewhere than at school who wishes to try out for, and participate in, school-sponsored interscholastic athletics in the student's resident district is required to: 1) provide proof that the student resides in the district; 2) meet the sports participation requirements established by the school district for students enrolled in the district such as physical examinations, insurance, age, academic, and other requirements. The student is to comply with the same standards of behavior, responsibilities, and performance as other members of the team; and 3) demonstrate to the board of education that the student is receiving an academically equivalent education compared to students enrolled in the school district and is academically qualified to participate. Under the current rules of the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA), the participation of such a student is at the discretion of the board of education of the resident school district. In the case of a student enrolled in a charter school, county vocational school, or nonpublic school, the student may try out for, and participate in, interscholastic athletics in the student's resident district if the student's charter school, county vocational school, or nonpublic school does not sponsor an interscholastic sports team in the sport in which the student wishes to participate. In order to participate, the student is to comply with the requirements listed above, other than the requirement to demonstrate academically equivalent instruction. Under current NJSIAA rules, a student enrolled in a nonpublic school, a charter school, or full-time in a county vocational school may only participate in interscholastic athletics in the resident district if the principal of the charter school or county vocational school, as applicable, and the principal of the resident district school agree to such participation. There are reciprocal provisions in the bill for students enrolled in public schools who may want to participate in interscholastic athletics sponsored by charter schools, county vocational school districts. Under the bill, any controversy in regard to whether a home-schooled student, a charter school student, a county vocational school student, nonpublic school student, or other public school student meets the eligibility requirements for student athletes established by the NJSIAA will be adjudicated by the association in compliance with its constitution and by-laws.

Committee Categories

Tony Bucco (R)*,  Owen Henry (R), 

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Education Committee (on 06/03/2024)

Official Document