State Rep. Scott Cepicky, R-Culleoka, today introduced legislation to enhance the ability of Tennessee students to stay on track in athletic extracurriculars after a school transfer.
House Bill 25 will give students in the Volunteer State a one-time opportunity to join a sports team immediately after transferring to a new school.
“Students face many difficulties when switching schools, and this one-time transfer opportunity seeks to streamline the process by allowing athletes to continue playing the sport they love,” Cepicky said. “Access to athletics and other extracurricular activities is paramount to improved academic outcomes and overall success. This legislation is a common-sense way to level the playing field and encourage student engagement and participation.”
House Bill 25 will prohibit public schools from using public funds to join an athletic association that doesn’t grant immediate athletic eligibility to a student who transfers no more than once. The proposed legislation applies to groups that regulate interscholastic athletes, including the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association (TSSAA).
Member schools of these associations typically require students to wait one year from their last athletic participation date to become eligible to play again, while changes of address could permit immediate eligibility.
Athletic recruiting, which includes influencing students and parents and other special privileges, is prohibited in Tennessee under TSSAA rules.
State Rep. Scott Cepicky represents House District 64, which includes part of Maury County.
This is a companion discussion topic for the original entry at https://tnhousegop.org/rep-scott-cepicky-introduces-legislation-to-enact-one-time-athletic-transfer-eligibility-for-tennessee-students/