(8-4-26) State Rep. Angie King (R-Celina) shared the following—-

I’m proud to have been a joint sponsor of the Student Athlete Mobility (SAM Act) (ORC 3313.5321) legislation designed to give Ohio students more opportunities to participate in athletics and activities.

Every student deserves the chance to pursue their interests, develop their talents, and be part of a team. This law helps expand those opportunities while supporting families and students across Ohio.

On July 16, the Ohio High School Athletic Association provided guidance to schools on how the new law will be implemented. I encourage parents, students, and school administrators to review the information and understand what this means for their students.

Related: Understanding Our Decision Regarding the Student Athlete Mobility (SAM) Act

NEW 2026-27 Student Athlete Mobility (SAM) Act Guidance

Understanding the OHSAA Enrollment and Attendance Bylaws

Section 3 of Bylaw 4, Enrollment and Attendance, contains seven bylaws governing student enrollment and attendance requirements for interscholastic athletics. Since its adoption in 1908, the enrollment requirement has served as a foundational principle of OHSAA eligibility. It helps:

  • Promote school identity and student engagement.
  • Ensure athletics remain an extension of the educational program.
  • Preserve amateurism by limiting participation to students connected to the school community.
  • Discourage “team shopping” and undue emphasis on athletics.
  • Encourage students to remain on track for graduation within the traditional eight-semester timeframe.

While full-time enrollment at the member school remains the general rule, OHSAA member schools have approved several exceptions to reflect changes in educational options and state law. In addition to long-standing exceptions for students attending separate ninth-grade centers and joint vocational schools, the bylaws now provide participation opportunities for students in several educational settings.

Ohio law also permits certain non-enrolled students to participate for the public school serving the parents’ district of residence (or, in some circumstances, another eligible public school). These categories include:

  • Home-educated students
  • Students attending STEM schools that do not sponsor the sport
  • Students attending community schools that do not sponsor the sport
  • Students attending non-public schools that do not sponsor the sport
  • Students attending a public school that does not sponsor the sport

Additional guidance is available in the Guidelines for Non-Enrolled Students and the Frequently Asked Questions page.

For purposes of Section 3:

  1. A student must be officially enrolled to attend a school.
  2. A student may be enrolled in only one school at a time.
  3. Once enrolled and attending a new school, the student is considered withdrawn from the former school.

Additionally, any student who qualifies under an exception to Bylaw 4-3-1 must also satisfy the requirements of Bylaw 4-7, Transfer, before becoming eligible for interscholastic athletics.

Enrollment & Attendance Guidance

Non-Enrolled Student Guidance

Supt. Forms For Non-Enrolled Students