Politics & Government
'Tebow Bill' Dies in Senate Committee
Committee rejects legislation that would have allowed home-schoolers to play on high school teams.
has died in the Virginia Senate.
The bill (HB 947), informally known as the "Tebow Bill" because of Denver Broncos' quarterback Tim Tebow's background as a home-schooled student who played for a public school in Florida, was rejected in the Senate Education and Health Committee on a 8-7 vote.
Supporters of the bill argued parents with home-schooled children pay taxes, so their children should have the opportunity to compete in interscholastic sports.
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Opponents say parents who choose home-schooling know the limitations, and it would be unfair to let those kids play without meeting eligibility standards that public school students must meet.
In the Jan. 26 Fairfax County School Board meeting, members voted 10-1 to add its opposition to a similar bill (HB 905) to the 2012 legislative package approved in December. Member Sandy Evans (Mason) abstained.
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The statement added to the legislative program says, "The Fairfax County School Board opposes mandates to require local school boards to allow students who are not currently enrolled full time in a public school in their locality to participate in student athletics and activities."
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