Subcommittee approves bill allowing eligible public virtual students to join local extracurriculars

Representative (speaker 14) presented House Bill 1218 (LC 610349), saying the bill "ensures that students enrolled in qualifying virtual public schools have equitable access to extracurricular and interscholastic opportunities through their resident school systems." The measure applies only to full‑time public virtual schools that do not operate their own extracurricular programs (grades 6–12), excludes private virtual schools, and requires that virtual students meet the same academic eligibility rules, residency requirements and codes of conduct as traditional students. The bill contains a 12‑month ineligibility provision for students who withdraw from a traditional public school to enroll in a virtual school, mirroring the Dexter Moseley Act.

Sponsor testimony noted implementation would begin in the 2027–28 school year to give schools time to plan. Sponsor cited data that about "16,000 plus students statewide" attend virtual programs across 158 of 159 counties.

Several parents and students testified in favor, describing lost athletic opportunities that prompted students to leave virtual schools. Student speakers recounted leaving virtual schools or being prevented from participating in local athletics despite strong academic performance; one parent estimated nearly 7,000 students at Georgia Connections Academy. After limited public comment the committee moved and passed HB 1218 by voice vote.

The bill will be refined and proceed in the legislative process.