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State Rep. Dennis Powers, R-Jacksboro, has introduced a new bill to give virtual school students the opportunity to participate in interscholastic athletics. 

House Bill 355 ensures that eligible virtual school students can try out for athletic teams at local public schools without being excluded due to their virtual enrollment status.

“Virtual school students should have the same opportunities as their peers in traditional schools when it comes to extracurricular activities, including sports,” Powers said. “This bill ensures that virtual school students are not barred from trying out for athletic teams, as long as they meet the required eligibility criteria.”

The bill mandates that public schools belonging to organizations or associations governing interscholastic athletic competition must allow virtual school students to participate, provided the students meet the eligibility standards set by those organizations. Schools that do not belong to such organizations but offer athletic programs will also be required to permit participation by zoned virtual school students, as long as they meet the same eligibility requirements.

The bill makes clear that virtual school students cannot be excluded from athletic tryouts based on their virtual status. However, it does not guarantee that a student will make the team, as selection decisions remain at the discretion of coaches and school officials.

Currently, in-person and homeschool students are permitted to participate in athletics. This bill seeks to ensure virtual school students have equal access to sports opportunities while upholding the authority of athletic organizations to enforce their own eligibility rules.

House Bill 355 is set to be reviewed by the Education Committee on Feb. 25.