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:

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that homeschooled students are part of the diverse fabric that makes up our educational system in Hawaii. In the 2024-2025 school year, 4,161 students in Hawaii were homeschooled. Parents who choose to homeschool their children are responsible for their child's total educational program, including athletics and other extracurricular activities. Under Hawaii law, homeschooled students do not have the right to participate in public school activities, including sports. 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.

The legislature believes that all homeschooled students should have equitable opportunities to succeed, including through participation in athletics. 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.

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.

SECTION 2. Chapter 302A, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"§302A- Homeschooled students; individual sports; participation. (a) Beginning with the 2026-2027 school year, students who:

(1) Are homeschooled pursuant to section 302A-1132(a)(5);

(2) Would otherwise be eligible for enrollment in a public high school; and

(3) 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.

(b) The department may adopt rules to effectuate this section and provide procedures by which an eligible student may apply to participate in individual sports.

(c) 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."

SECTION 3. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 4. 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.

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