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SB2793
THE SENATE
S.B. NO.
2793
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026
STATE OF HAWAII
A BILL FOR AN ACT
Relating
to Individual Sports
.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
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SECTION 1.
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The
legislature finds that homeschooled students are part of the diverse fabric
that makes up our educational system in Hawaii.
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In the 2024-2025 school year, 4,161 students
in Hawaii were homeschooled.
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Parents who
choose to homeschool their children are responsible for their child's total
educational program, including athletics and other extracurricular
activities.
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Under Hawaii law,
homeschooled students do not have the right to participate in public school
activities, including sports.
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Although
individual schools and complex areas have the authority to allow homeschooled
students to participate in school activities, policies across the various
complex areas can vary.
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The legislature believes that all homeschooled
students should have equitable opportunities to succeed, including through participation
in athletics.
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Authorizing homeschooled,
high school-aged students to participate in individual sports as unattached
athletes is an important step in the State's efforts to achieve educational
equity.
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Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to
authorize
homeschooled, high school-aged students to participate as unattached competitors
in individual sports available to the public school that the student would
otherwise be required to attend.
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SECTION 2.
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Chapter 302A, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new
section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:
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�302A-
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Homeschooled
students; individual sports; participation.
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(a)
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Beginning with the 2026-2027 school year, students
who:
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(1)
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Are
homeschooled pursuant to section 302A-1132(a)(5);
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(2)
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Would
otherwise be eligible for enrollment in a public high school; and
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(3)
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Meet
participation requirements and restrictions for an individual sport, including
maintaining appropriate grade point averages, paying appropriate fees, and
signing a release and express assumption of risk waiver; provided that the
requirements or restrictions of the release shall not be inconsistent with this
section;
shall be
eligible to participate
as an unattached
competitor in any individual sport at athletic events sanctioned by an
educational athletic organization and available to the public high school that the
student would otherwise be required to attend.
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(b)
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The department may adopt rules to effectuate
this section and provide procedures by which an eligible student may apply to
participate in individual sports.
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(c)
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As used in this section, "individual
sport" means a school-authorized sport that does not require team
participation, including air riflery, bowling, cross country, diving, esports,
golf, judo, swimming, tennis, track and field, and wrestling.
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SECTION 3.
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New statutory material is underscored.
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SECTION 4.
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This Act shall take effect upon its approval.
INTRODUCED BY:
_____________________________
Report Title:
Department
of Education; Homeschooling; Homeschooled Students; Athletics; Individual
Sports; Participation; Unattached Competitors
Description:
Authorizes homeschooled, high school-aged students to
participate as unattached competitors in individual sports available to the
public high school that the student would otherwise be required to attend.
The summary description
of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.