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Bill

HB 875

AN ACT relating to interscholastic athletics.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Rebecca Raymer

Establishes a statewide framework for participation, eligibility, safety, and compliance in Kentucky K-12 interscholastic athletics across public and eligible nonpublic schools.

to Primary and Secondary Education (H)
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Bill Summary · HB 875

Bill overview

HB 875, introduced in the Kentucky General Assembly during the 2026 Regular Session (Session: 2026RS), is an act concerning interscholastic athletics. The bill has advanced to the Committee on Committees and was referred to the House Committee on Primary and Secondary Education.

Main purpose and intent

  • Establishes definitions, governance provisions, and criteria related to interscholastic athletics within Kentucky’s K-12 education system.
  • Aims to provide a statewide framework for participation, eligibility, safety, and compliance in interscholastic athletic programs affiliated with public and eligible nonpublic schools.

Key provisions and changes (as typically included in interscholastic athletics legislation)

Note: The exact text of HB 875 is not provided here; the summary reflects common structural elements in such bills. If enacted, the bill could include several of the following components:

  • Eligibility criteria for student participation:

    • Grade level eligibility (e.g., middle school vs. high school).
    • Academic eligibility standards (e.g., maintaining certain GPA or progress toward promotion).
    • Residency or enrollment requirements for school eligibility.

  • Gender and fair competition provisions:

    • Regulations addressing gender identity and participation in athletic teams.
    • Requirements for alignment with state or national guidelines on eligibility and competition.

  • Safety and welfare measures:

    • Concussion protocols and required safety training for coaches and staff.
    • Mandatory okay-to-play procedures following injuries.
    • Policies on the use of protective equipment and medical clearance.

  • Governing structure and compliance:

    • Role of the Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) or a designated state athletics association in oversight and enforcement.
    • Adoption of rules, guidelines, or bylaws to standardize interscholastic athletics across districts.
    • Penalties for non-compliance or false reporting.

  • Equipment, facilities, and funding:

    • Standards for safe athletic facilities and equipment.
    • Potential funding or grant provisions to support program safety or participation.

  • Scheduling and championships:

    • Guidelines for interschool competition calendars, transfer rules, and eligibility during postseason play.
    • Compliance with state-wide championships and advancement criteria.

Who would be affected

  • Public K-12 school districts, charter schools, and eligible nonpublic schools offering interscholastic athletics.
  • Students participating in interscholastic athletics.
  • Coaches, athletic directors, and school personnel responsible for compliance with eligibility, safety, and reporting requirements.
  • Local education agencies responsible for implementing any KDE or state-level athletics policies.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Status: Introduced (March 4, 2026) and referred to the Committee on Committees, with initial referral to the House Committee on Primary and Secondary Education (March 11, 2026).
  • Next steps typically include committee consideration, potential amendments, and floor votes in the House, followed by potential Senate action and a conference committee if differences arise.
  • Any enacted provisions would become effective on a date specified within the bill (often a specific date or upon gubernatorial signature), with phased or immediate applicability dependent on the bill’s text.

Potential impact considerations

  • Standardization: Could create uniform eligibility, safety, and governance standards across Kentucky schools, reducing variance among districts.
  • Safety emphasis: Likely includes safety protocols and medical considerations that would affect coaches, trainers, and school health staff.
  • Equity and participation: Depending on the gender/participation provisions, could affect how teams are formed and which students can participate.
  • Administrative burden: May introduce new reporting, documentation, and compliance duties for districts and school personnel.

If you would like, I can tailor the summary further once the bill’s full text or committee amendments are available, to capture exact provisions, definitions, and any fiscal notes.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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