Rob Bell’s ‘Tebow Bill’ passes … now on to Governor

By Lynn R. Mitchell

The “Tebow Bill,” the homeschool sports access bill that has been advanced in the General Assembly the past ten years by Delegate Rob Bell, passed the state senate today 22-13.  Bell wrote:

Tebow Bill PASSES State Senate 22-13! Many thanks to the Senators who supported it and all the homeschoolers who testified! Please contact Governor McAuliffe and ask him to sign the bill and sign the petition here (http://virginiatebowbill.com/petition/).

Many thanks to my own Senator Emmett Hanger for voting yea.

The Virginia House Republican Campaign Committee put out a press release:

The Senate of Virginia on Tuesday passed Delegate Rob Bell’s House Bill 1626, also known as the “Tebow Bill.” HB 1626 would allow schools to permit homeschooled students to participate in competitive extracurricular activities like sports, forensics and band. The legislation has already passed the House of Delegates. Bell said Tuesday he would accept the Senate amendments and send the bill to Governor McAuliffe’s desk for his signature.

“For years I have fought to give homeschooled students fair access to extracurricular activities in public schools. This concept is endorsed by 29 other states and is widely supported by the public,” said Delegate Rob Bell (R-Albemarle). “I am very excited the Senate moved this bill forward. I will accept the Senate amendment and send the bill to Governor McAuliffe’s desk for his signature.”

House Bill 1626 would give local school boards the option of allowing homeschooled students to participate in school sports and other extracurricular activities. In order to participate, students must be receiving home instruction in a manner compliant with state law, be able to demonstrate two consecutive years of academic progress, be under the age of 19, and be compliant with all immunization, disciplinary and eligibility requirements. Students are only allowed to participate in the school district in which they live.

“Fundamentally, this bill is about opportunity. This is about giving the over 32,000 homeschoolers in Virginia the opportunity to participate in school sports, clubs and group activities. This is about letting parents decide how to design the optimal educational path for their children,” said Bell.

For the summary, full text and history of HB 1626, click here.

For additional history of the Tebow Bill, see Tebow Bill passes out of senate committee. Thank you, Delegate Rob Bell, for persevering.