CHARLESTON, WV (LOOTPRESS) – Today, the State Senate passed a bill that would allow high school students in West Virginia to transfer schools and retain their athletic eligibility without being forced to sit out for one year.
Senate Bill 262 would force the West Virginia Secondary Schools Activities Commission to modify its rule that requires students that transfer schools to sit out one year before participating in athletics and allow students to join an athletic team upon transfer.
The bills lead sponsor Ryan Weld (R-Brooke), spoke in favor of the bill this morning and acknowledged that there have been bills like this in previous sessions that have failed but he is confident. “I’ve had some very encouraging conversations with our brethren in the House to get this across the finish line and be able to help students across the state,” Weld said.
Fellow Republican Senator Randy Smith (R-Tucker) spoke against the bill saying it was unfair to students at more rural schools. “I have several very small schools [in my district], some of them have a problem getting six or seven kids on a basketball team,” Smith said. “Heaven forbid they have a superstar on that team because then every big school around there is after them trying to get them to transfer.”
Senator Jay Taylor (R-Taylor) stated that this bill gives students and parents more freedom and choice. “Who are we to not allow that and not allow the freedom for what is best for that kid, and that is what this bill is, this is a freedom bill,” Taylor said. “[This bill] allows parents to do what is best for their kids and taking the politics out of it, and taking the [WV]SSAC out of it.”
The rule modification achieves the intent to not require a student to undergo one year of athletic ineligibility if the student transfers secondary schools during or after the student’s ninth-grade year.
The bill passed on a 27-5 vote and will now go to the House of Delegates. If the bill is passed and signed into law, it would require the WVSSAC to modify the rule by the 2023-2024 school year.