MS HB969

Authorizes home-schooled students to participate in interscholastic extracurricular activities at their assigned public school, subject to the same eligibility requirements and academic standards as public school students.

Requires home-schooled students to demonstrate academic proficiency through standardized test results, work portfolios, or prior enrollment records; parents must provide periodic written verification of satisfactory progress.

Makes student transportation the responsibility of parents or guardians, though students may use the same transportation as other public school students on competition dates without additional district expense.

Establishes the "Home-School Extracurricular Activity Fund" to reimburse school districts $2,250 per home-schooled student participating in extracurricular activities in the prior year, with applications due by July 15.

Requires the State Department of Education to report fund disbursements to the State Auditor beginning July 1, 2023, and every two years thereafter.