STUDENT ATHLETE-TRANSFER RULES

Illinois House Bill 5808 amends state law to require interscholastic athletic associations to allow high school student-athletes in grades 9 through 12 to transfer schools and maintain full athletic eligibility, provided that both the sending and receiving principals submit written consent. This consent must confirm that staff at the new school did not recruit or improperly influence the student's decision to move. The bill prevents athletic associations from restricting a transferring student's eligibility based on their reason for changing schools, although students who transfer after a season has already begun are barred from participating in that specific sport for the rest of the year. Additionally, any existing ineligibility penalties imposed by the previous school must be enforced at the new school for the remaining duration of the penalty or 365 days, whichever is shorter.