SENATE BILL NO. 220

AMENDMENT IN THE NATURE OF A SUBSTITUTE

(Proposed by the Senate Committee on Education and Health

on February 12, 2026)

(Patron Prior to Substitute—Senator Jones)

A BILL to direct the Department of Education, in collaboration with the Executive Committee of the Virginia High School League, to review and make recommendations on revising the residency requirements for high school student athletes to participate in high school athletic teams.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. § 1. That the Department of Education (the Department), in collaboration with the Executive Committee of the Virginia High School League (VHSL), shall review and make recommendations on revisions to the residency requirements established by the VHSL for participation of high school student athletes in high school athletic teams for the purpose of ensuring such requirements are aligned, to the maximum extent practicable, with the residency requirements for the enrollment of students in public schools in the Commonwealth. In conducting its review, the Department and the Executive Committee of the VHSL shall:

1. Consult with school boards, public school administrators, and such other stakeholders as deemed appropriate;

2. Review the residency requirements, and any waivers applicable to such requirements, established by the VHSL, in comparison to the residency requirements for enrollment in public schools in school divisions in the Commonwealth; and

3. Make recommendations on revisions to such residency requirements to ensure such requirements are aligned, to the maximum extent practicable, with the residency requirements for enrollment in public schools in the Commonwealth.

The Department shall submit to the Chairs of the Senate Committee on Education and Health and the House Committee on Education by November 1, 2026, a report on its findings and recommendations.