Education: athletics; children who are homeschooled or attending nonpublic school; require the board of a school district or intermediate school district to allow to participate in certain extracurricular activities. Amends 1976 PA 451 (MCL 380.1 - 380.1852) by adding sec. 1290.
Key claim: HB5979 would require Michigan school district and intermediate school district boards to allow homeschooled and nonpublic-school children to participate in certain extracurricular activities, including athletics.
Abstract
(HB5979 · 103rd Legislature) Education: athletics; children who are homeschooled or attending nonpublic school; require the board of a school district or intermediate school district to allow to participate in certain extracurricular activities. Amends 1976 PA 451 (MCL 380.1 - 380.1852) by adding sec. 1290. Sponsor: Rep. Matthew Maddock ® + 11 co-sponsors In committee: H Education And Workforce Latest action (2026-05-19): Bill Electronically Reproduced 05/14/2026
Why this matters
For homeschool and nonpublic-school families, this bill would open access to district-run sports and other extracurriculars that are typically limited to enrolled public-school students, changing what participation looks like at the local level. For districts, it creates a compliance obligation around eligibility, rosters, and potentially costs or Title IX/MHSAA coordination. The proposal is contested nationally as an ‘access’ versus ‘fairness to enrolled students’ debate, and its status here is introduction and referral to House Education and Workforce.