---
title: HB 1218. Georgia Virtual Public School Student Athletic Participation Act; enact
collection: bills
id: 2025-2026/hb1218
cite_as: HB 1218, 2025-2026 Regular Session (Ga.)
canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb1218
md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb1218.md
text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb1218/text
source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/72908
date: 2026-02-20
status: introduced
corpus_version: bills-2026-09-13
license: Public record of the Georgia General Assembly, via LegiScan; see about.md
publisher: Georgia Commons, an independent project of Georgia Civic Data. Not the State of Georgia. Not legal advice.
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omitted: votes and history
omitted_chars: 185
omitted_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb1218.md?full=1
bill_number: HB 1218
session: 2025-2026 Regular Session
session_slug: 2025-2026
chamber: House
bill_type: bill
status_date: 2026-02-05
last_action: House Committee Favorably Reported
sponsors:
- Robert Flournoy
- Scott Hilton
- Yasmin Neal
- Phil Olaleye
- Bryce Berry
- Tangie Herring
text_version: Introduced
has_text: true
legiscan_url: https://legiscan.com/GA/bill/HB1218/2025
upstream_id: 2109972
summaries_model: claude-sonnet-5
topic_tags:
- virtual schools
- school sports eligibility
- extracurricular activities
- education law
- student athletes
---
# HB 1218. Georgia Virtual Public School Student Athletic Participation Act; enact
## Text
House Bill 1218
By: Representatives Flournoy of the 74th, Hilton of the 48th, Neal of the 79th, Olaleye of the
59th, and Berry of the 56th
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
To amend Part 14 of Article 6 of Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia
Annotated, relating to other educational programs under the "Quality Basic Education Act,"
so as to revise the "Dexter Mosely Act" to allow for virtual school students from qualifying
virtual schools to participate in specified extracurricular and interscholastic activities under
the sponsorship, direction, and control of the student's resident public school or resident
public school system; to provide for requirements of such virtual school student participation;
to provide for virtual school qualifications; to provide for definitions; to provide for related
matters; to provide for a short title; to provide for an effective date and applicability; to
repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:
SECTION 1.
This Act shall be known and may be cited as the "Georgia Virtual Public School Student
Athletic Participation Act."
SECTION 2.
Part 14 of Article 6 of Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated,
relating to other educational programs under the "Quality Basic Education Act," is amended
by revising Code Section 20-2-319.6, relating to home study student participation in resident
school system extracurricular and interscholastic activities, short title, definitions,
requirements for participation, impact of student withdrawal, and reporting requirements, as
follows:
"20-2-319.6.
(a) This Code section shall be known and may be cited as the 'Dexter Mosely Act.'
(b) As used in this Code section, the term:
(1) 'Athletic association' means any association of schools or any other similar
organization which acts as an organizing, sanctioning, scheduling, or rule-making body
for interscholastic activities in which public schools in this state participate.
(2) 'Extracurricular activities' means public school-sponsored school sponsored activities
in which students take part on a voluntary basis; which do not offer or provide school or
course credits; which are generally conducted outside regular school hours or, if
conducted in whole or in part during regular school hours, at times agreed to by the
participants and approved by a school official; and which are managed and operated
under the guidance of a teacher, other school employee, or other adult approved by a
school official. Examples of extracurricular activities include but are not limited to
intramural and interscholastic athletics; band, chorus, and other musical activities; drama
and other theatrical activities; and clubs and organizations as defined in subsection (a) of
Code Section 20-2-705.
(3) 'Home study student' means any student in grades six through 12 who is in a home
study program that meets the requirements of subsection (c) of Code Section 20-2-690.
(4) 'Interscholastic activities' means extracurricular activities, public school-sponsored
school sponsored athletic programs, and other public school-sponsored school sponsored
programs that are sanctioned or supported by a state-wide interscholastic activities
governing body, including but not limited to an athletic association.
(5) 'Qualifying course' means a course facilitated by the home study student's resident
school system:
(A) By applying one or more of the mechanisms provided for in paragraphs (1)
through (4) of subsection (b) of Code Section 20-2-319.4;
(B) By way of a dual credit course as provided for in Code Section 20-2-161.3; or
(C) By way of an on-site course required for participation in designated extracurricular
and interscholastic activities.
(6) 'Qualifying virtual school' means a public school in this state that provides solely
virtual instruction and that does not offer to students enrolled in grades six through 12
one or more school sponsored interscholastic athletic programs or other school sponsored
programs that are sanctioned or supported by a state-wide interscholastic activities
governing body.
(6)(7) 'Resident school' means the public school in which a home study student or virtual
school student would be enrolled based on his or her residence.
(7)(8) 'Resident school system' means the public school system in which a home study
student or virtual school student would be enrolled based on his or her residence.
(9) 'Virtual school student' means a student in grades six through 12 enrolled full-time
in a qualifying virtual school.
(c) A home study student shall be eligible to participate in extracurricular activities and
interscholastic activities under the sponsorship, direction, and control of the resident school
or resident school system, provided that each of the following requirements is met:
(1) At least 30 calendar days before the first school day of the semester in which a home
study student will enroll in a qualifying course as provided in paragraph (2) of this
subsection, a parent or guardian of the home study student provides to the principal of the
resident school and the superintendent of the resident school system:
(A) Written notice that the home study student intends to participate in one or more
specified extracurricular or interscholastic activities as a representative of the resident
school or resident school system; and
(B) A copy of the home study student's most recent annual progress assessment report,
as provided for in paragraph (8) of subsection (c) of Code Section 20-2-690, along with
written verification by the home study program instructor that the home study student
is currently receiving a passing grade in each home study program course, is
maintaining satisfactory progress toward advancement, and meets the requirements for
participation in the specified extracurricular or interscholastic activity;
(2) For each semester of the regular school year during any part of which the home study
student participates in an extracurricular or interscholastic activity, the home study
student enrolls in and attempts to complete one qualifying course;
(3) The home study student meets established age, academic, behavioral, conduct,
disciplinary, residence, zoning, and other rules and requirements applicable to all students
for participation in the specified extracurricular or interscholastic activity and provides
any supporting documentation required by the resident school;
(4) The home study student abides by the same student code of conduct and disciplinary
measures and transportation policies as students enrolled at the resident school who are
participating in the same extracurricular or interscholastic activity as the home study
student;
(5) The home study student completes the tryout process or the equivalent for
participation in the specified extracurricular or interscholastic activity applicable to all
students for participation in the specified extracurricular or interscholastic activity and
provides any supporting documentation required by the resident school; and
(6) For an extracurricular or interscholastic activity which involves a competitive
selection process, the home study student is selected.
(c.1) A virtual school student shall be eligible to participate in extracurricular activities and
interscholastic activities under the sponsorship, direction, and control of the resident school
or resident school system, provided that each of the following requirements is met:
(1) At least 30 calendar days before the first school day of the semester in which a virtual
school student intends to participate in one or more extracurricular or interscholastic
activities, a parent or guardian of the virtual school student provides to the principal of
the resident school and the superintendent of the resident school system:
(A) Written notice that the virtual school student intends to participate in one or more
specified extracurricular or interscholastic activities as a representative of the resident
school or resident school system; and
(B) A copy of the virtual school student's most recent report card or its equivalent,
along with written verification by the virtual school that the virtual school student is
currently receiving a passing grade in each course and meets the requirements for
participation in the specified extracurricular or interscholastic activity;
(2) The virtual school student meets established age, academic, behavioral, conduct,
disciplinary, residence, zoning, and other rules and requirements applicable to all students
for participation in the specified extracurricular or interscholastic activity and provides
any supporting documentation required by the resident school;
(3) The virtual school student abides by the same student code of conduct and
disciplinary measures and transportation policies as students enrolled at the resident
school who are participating in the same extracurricular or interscholastic activity as the
virtual school student;
(4) The virtual school student completes the tryout process or the equivalent for
participation in the specified extracurricular or interscholastic activity applicable to all
students for participation in the specified extracurricular or interscholastic activity and
provides any supporting documentation required by the resident school; and
(5) For an extracurricular or interscholastic activity which involves a competitive
selection process, the virtual school student is selected.
(d) A student who withdraws from a public school to participate in a home study program
or enroll in a qualifying virtual school shall be ineligible for participation in any
extracurricular or interscholastic activity for 12 months from the date of the declaration of
intent to utilize a home study program provided to the Department of Education as
provided under paragraph (2) of subsection (c) of Code Section 20-2-690 or enrollment in
the qualifying virtual school.
(e) For purposes of this Code section, participation in an extracurricular or interscholastic
activity includes participation in the following school-sponsored school sponsored
activities related to the extracurricular or interscholastic activity: tryouts; off-season
practice, rehearsal, or conditioning; summer and holiday practice, rehearsal, or
conditioning; in-season practice, rehearsal, or conditioning; and all exhibitions, contests,
and competitions, including scrimmage, preseason, regular season, postseason, and
invitational.
(f) A resident school, a resident school system, or an athletic association shall not deny a
home study student or a virtual school student the opportunity to try out and participate if
selected in any extracurricular or interscholastic activities available at the resident school
or in the resident school system if the student meets the requirements contained in
subsection (c) or (c.1) of this Code section, respectively, and is not ineligible under
subsection (d) of this Code section.
(g) No public high school which receives funding under this article shall participate in,
sponsor, or provide coaching staff for interscholastic activities which are conducted under
the authority of, conducted under the rules of, or scheduled by any athletic association that
does not deem eligible for participation a home study student or virtual school student who
meets the requirements contained in subsection (c) or (c.1) of this Code section,
respectively, and is not ineligible under subsection (d) of this Code section.
(h) Home study students and virtual school students shall participate in extracurricular or
interscholastic activities, as authorized under this Code section, on behalf of such home
study student's resident school.
(i) The specific assigned program of each home study student enrolled in a qualifying
course shall be included for a one-sixth segment of the school day, or the block scheduling
equivalent, by the home study student's resident school system in reports made to the
Department of Education as provided in subsection (a) of Code Section 20-2-160."
SECTION 3.
This Act shall become effective on July 1, 2026, and shall apply beginning with the
2027-2028 school year.
SECTION 4.
All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.
## Summaries written by Georgia Commons
The following was written by claude-sonnet-5 from the text above and is not part of the bill. Quote the text, not the summary.
House Bill 1218 would let Georgia students enrolled full-time in certain virtual public schools try out for and play sports and other extracurricular activities at their local resident public school, similar to rules already in place for home study students.
### Plain-language summary
Georgia already lets home study students participate in extracurricular and interscholastic activities, such as sports, band, and clubs, at their resident public school under the 'Dexter Mosely Act' (O.C.G.A. 20-2-319.6). This bill renames the effort the 'Georgia Virtual Public School Student Athletic Participation Act' and extends similar eligibility to students in grades six through 12 who attend a 'qualifying virtual school,' meaning a fully virtual public school that does not itself offer the athletic or interscholastic program the student wants to join.
To participate, a virtual school student's parent or guardian must notify the resident school at least 30 days before the semester begins, submit report cards and proof of passing grades, and the student must meet the same conduct, tryout, and eligibility rules as other students. Students who withdraw from a public school to enroll in virtual school become ineligible for extracurricular activities for 12 months. The change takes effect July 1, 2026, and applies starting with the 2027-2028 school year.
### What it does
- Creates a new category of 'virtual school student' and 'qualifying virtual school' and makes such students eligible to try out for extracurricular and interscholastic activities at their resident public school.
- Requires parents to give the resident school 30 days' written notice before a semester, along with report cards and proof the student is passing and meets eligibility rules.
- Requires virtual school students to follow the same code of conduct, tryout process, and transportation rules as other students at the resident school.
- Bars resident schools, school systems, or athletic associations from denying eligible virtual school students the chance to try out and participate.
- Makes a student who withdraws from public school to enroll in a qualifying virtual school ineligible for extracurricular activities for 12 months from enrollment.
- Renames the underlying law the 'Georgia Virtual Public School Student Athletic Participation Act' while keeping the existing 'Dexter Mosely Act' short title for the home study provisions.
### Who it affects
Students in grades six through 12 enrolled full-time in fully virtual Georgia public schools, their parents and guardians, resident public schools and school systems that would host these students in activities, and athletic associations that sanction interscholastic competitions.
### Why it matters
Virtual school students in Georgia currently have no explicit legal path to join sports, band, clubs, or other activities at their local public school. This bill would give them that access under the same eligibility and conduct rules as home study students, potentially expanding participation opportunities for students who attend school entirely online.
### Key provisions
- Section 1 gives the overall Act the short title 'Georgia Virtual Public School Student Athletic Participation Act.'
- Section 2 amends O.C.G.A. 20-2-319.6 to add definitions for 'qualifying virtual school' and 'virtual school student,' and adds new subsection (c.1) setting participation requirements for virtual school students.
- New subsection (c.1) requires 30 days' advance written notice, a recent report card, and proof of passing grades and eligibility before a virtual school student may participate.
- New subsection (d) language makes withdrawing from public school to enroll in a qualifying virtual school trigger a 12-month ineligibility period for extracurricular activities.
- Subsections (f) and (g) are amended to prevent resident schools, school systems, or athletic associations from denying qualifying virtual school students the chance to try out and compete.
- Section 3 sets the effective date as July 1, 2026, applying starting with the 2027-2028 school year.
- Section 4 repeals any conflicting laws.
## Status
- Status: Introduced (2026-02-05)
- Last action: House Committee Favorably Reported (2026-02-20)
- Sponsors: Robert Flournoy, Scott Hilton, Yasmin Neal, Phil Olaleye, Bryce Berry, Tangie Herring
- Official page: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/72908
> The history, votes, and amendments (185 characters) are at https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb1218.md?full=1