HB1218: HB1218 Georgia Virtual Public School Student Athletic Participation Act; enact

Georgia's 'Dexter Mosely Act' (O.C.G.A. § 20-2-319.6) currently lets home study students take part in their resident public school's extracurricular and interscholastic activities, like sports and clubs, if they meet certain conditions. This bill extends similar eligibility to students enrolled full-time in a 'qualifying virtual school,' defined as a Georgia public school that provides only virtual instruction and does not itself offer school sponsored athletic or other sanctioned programs. Virtual school students in grades six through 12 could participate through their resident school or resident school system if a parent gives 30 days' written notice, submits a report card showing passing grades, and the student meets the same age, conduct, tryout, and selection rules that apply to other students. Students who leave a public school to enroll in home study or a qualifying virtual school become ineligible for 12 months. The changes would take effect July 1, 2026, starting with the 2027-2028 school year.

• Adds a new category of 'virtual school student' who can join extracurricular and interscholastic activities through their resident public school or school system.
• Defines 'qualifying virtual school' as a Georgia public school offering only virtual instruction with no school sponsored athletic or sanctioned interscholastic programs of its own.
• Requires parents of virtual school students to give the resident school 30 days' written notice and proof of passing grades before the student can participate.
• Requires virtual school students to meet the same age, conduct, tryout, and disciplinary rules as other students trying out for the same activity.
• Keeps the existing 12 month ineligibility period for students who withdraw from public school to enter home study or a qualifying virtual school.
• Bars resident schools, school systems, and athletic associations from denying eligible virtual school students the chance to try out and participate.

Full-time students in grades six through 12 enrolled in Georgia's fully virtual public schools, their parents, resident public schools and school systems that would host them for activities, and athletic associations that sanction interscholastic competitions.

Virtual school students who currently have no path to join sports, band, drama, or other extracurricular activities at a brick-and-mortar school could gain access to them, provided they meet grade and conduct requirements, giving them the same kind of participation route already available to home study students.

• Section 2 amends O.C.G.A. § 20-2-319.6 to add 'virtual school student' and 'qualifying virtual school' as new defined terms alongside existing home study definitions.
• New subsection (c.1) sets participation requirements for virtual school students, including 30 days' advance written notice and a report card showing passing grades and eligibility.
• Subsection (d) extends the existing 12 month ineligibility rule to students who leave public school to enroll in a qualifying virtual school.
• Subsections (f) and (g) prohibit resident schools, school systems, and athletic associations from denying eligible virtual school students the chance to try out and compete.
• Subsection (h) requires virtual school students to participate on behalf of their resident school.
• Section 3 sets the effective date as July 1, 2026, applying starting with the 2027-2028 school year.

1. 2026-02-20House Committee Favorably Reported (House)
2. 2026-02-09House Second Readers (House)
3. 2026-02-06House First Readers (House)
4. 2026-02-05House Hopper (House)

• Robert Flournoy (D, HD-074)Primary sponsor
• Scott Hilton (R, HD-048)
• Yasmin Neal (D, HD-079)
• Phil Olaleye (D, HD-059)
• Bryce Berry (D, HD-056)
• Tangie Herring (D, HD-145)

• virtual schools
• high school sports
• extracurricular activities
• school athletics
• education law