Bill > HB5647

This bill, known as the Open and Equal Opportunities in Student Activities Act, aims to allow students who are homeschooled, taught by a private tutor, or enrolled in private, parochial, church, or religious order schools to participate in extracurricular activities, such as sports, at schools that are members of the West Virginia Secondary School Activities Commission (WVSSAC), even if their own school is not a member or doesn't offer the specific activity. To participate, these students must register their intent with their local school board, pay any associated fees, adhere to WVSSAC and local disciplinary rules, meet the same academic and physical health standards as other participants, and satisfy residency requirements. The bill defines "homeschooled students," "Hope Scholarship students," and "nonpublic school" for clarity, and clarifies that this provision does not guarantee a student will make a team or activity, only that they are not prohibited from trying out if otherwise eligible. It also ensures that insurance provided by school boards covers these students and prevents member schools from joining organizations that discriminate against them.