SB401

SB401 changes eligible home-school students’ access to UIL activities from a school opt-in to an opt-out system. A public school participating in a University Interscholastic League activity must ordinarily offer an eligible non-enrolled student the same opportunity to participate as its enrolled students. A district board or open-enrollment charter governing body may still adopt a policy declining participation by the deadline set in UIL rules. It is not an unconditional requirement that every school admit every applicant. Final law.

If the school the student would attend based on residence has opted out, the student may participate for the geographically closest school to the student’s home that has not opted out. This is not free choice of any team or campus. Otherwise, the residential-school rule remains, along with proof-of-residency requirements and UIL eligibility standards. The statute says closest school—not simply any school in the nearest willing district.

“Non-enrolled student” uses an existing definition tied to home-school instruction: general elementary or secondary education predominantly provided by a parent or person in parental authority in or through the home. It does not simply mean every student attending any private school. The bill was signed and took effect June 20, 2025 and applies beginning with the 2025–26 school year. Existing participation framework; Referenced home-school definition; Official history.

Existing conditions remain. These include age, registration, fees, insurance, transportation, physical condition, conduct and performance policies; initial academic-proficiency testing and later parental passing-grade verification; and applicable immunization requirements and exceptions. The section still does not authorize participation for the remainder of a school year in which the student was previously enrolled in public school. Equal opportunity is not a guaranteed place on a competitive team. Retained eligibility and education protections.