Delegate Rob Bell's sports access bill will be heard by the House Education Subcommittee on September 6, 2011, at 10 a.m. at the capitol in Richmond.

 

This bill (HB 2395) to allow homeschooled students to participate in high school athletics was taken under advisement during the 2011 session and assigned to this special subcommittee. Since then, a report has been prepared on how sports access has been successfully implemented in other states. The hearing will take place in House Room D of the General Assembly Building.

  

Delegate Rob Bell (R-Charlottesville) will speak in support of the bill, and the subcommittee will then take public comment. Delegate Bell would like to invite supportive homeschoolers to speak from the podium if they wish, or to just offer their support by standing at the appropriate time. 

HEAV is neutral on the bill, but we support homeschooling parents' right to make sports decisions for their family. We will be carefully monitoring the legislation to ensure the language is compatible with homeschool freedoms and that there are no additional restrictions on homeschoolers who do not participate in sports access. 

 

Delegate Bell has reserved House Room 5 West from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. During this time, he will summarize the bill and explain the procedures. If you are interested in attending, please let me know by e-mailing me at support@heav.org. We will communicate your interest to Delegate Bell.

With warm regards,