COLUMBIA — The Missouri State High School Activities Association has announced its compliance and implementation strategy following the passage of Senate Bill 63. MSHSAA
Executive Director Dr. Jennifer Rukstad sent a letter to all member schools on July 15. In summary, effective August 28, this new law expands participation opportunities to full-time home school, full-time Family Paced Education (FPE), and full-time virtual school students with the public or charter school that serves the place they live.
The law applies to a broad scope of athletics, fine arts, and integrated co-curricular activities, not just those governed by MSHSAA. MSHSAA will refer to students who are eligible and choose to participate under Senate Bill 63 as “resident participant students.”
To align with Senate Bill 63, MSHSAA member schools will implement bylaw changes via a Special Ballot, which will be open to them from August 11-22. Full rule changes will take effect Aug. 25, upon ballot certification.
“To remain aligned with Missouri law, MSHSAA member schools must approve the Special Ballot,” Dr. Rukstad said. “This is not a matter of preference but of legality. Member schools are strongly encouraged to accept the by-law changes to ensure uninterrupted, equitable access to interscholastic athletics and activities and protect student eligibility.”
MSHSAA will allow relief for resident participant students from current bylaws for early participation to coincide with the beginning of the fall sports season.
Senate Bill 63 expands participation to full-time home school, Family Paced Education (FPE), and virtual school students. It applies to interscholastic athletics, fine arts, and co-curricular activities. It also introduces a “resident participant students” category under new by-law Non-Traditional Option 3.
Only full-time students in specified educational settings are eligible. Students must reside within the attendance boundary of public or charter schools. Adherence to academic, conduct, and physical eligibility standards is required.
Clear communication of participation requirements to students and families is essential. School districts must educate staff and coaches on eligibility for resident participant students. Resident participant students must be included in the master student list. They can participate in public or charter schools, but not private schools. Drug testing policies apply uniformly to all participants, including non-enrolled students.
Previously, the Missouri State High School Activities Association allowed homeschoolers to join public-school teams if they were enrolled in two classes at the school. Districts could have more restrictive policies, with many denying access to those who weren’t publicly educated full-time.
For years, families with young athletes and performers have testified at the State Capitol for access to extracurricular activities. Some lawmakers worried about homeschooled students having separate academic and attendance standards, saying their participation could be unfair. But ultimately, it passed the Senate 30-3 and the House 94-44 and Gov. Mike Kehoe signed the bill into law on July 9.
