SPEAKIN’ OUT NEWS
Governor Kay Ivey delivered a victory for Alabama students and families when she signed Senate Bill 342, the “Let the Kids Play!” Act into law. The measure reinforces the CHOOSE Act’s nondiscrimination guarantee by barring athletic associations from sidelining students solely because they transferred schools using a state education scholarship.
The legislation, sponsored by Sen. Clyde Chambliss, R-Prattville, was drafted after Governor Ivey and House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter sued the Alabama High School Athletic Association over rules that barred CHOOSE Act students from playing sports for a year following a transfer. Under the new law, students and schools have a clear path to challenge eligibility denials when a student’s CHOOSE Act status is the only reason cited.
“The Let the Kids Play Act stands up for students and families who followed the law and played by the rules,” Governor Ivey said. “The CHOOSE Act was designed to expand educational opportunities for all Alabama students, not to be twisted to take it away. That is why I was proud to sign this bill into law. Every child deserves a fair shot both in the classroom and on the field.” She added plainly: “It’s not complicated. Let the kids play.”
Sen. Chambliss echoed the message. “This legislation reinforces the core promise of the CHOOSE Act by ensuring that no student is denied the opportunity to participate in athletics solely because of their educational choice,” he said.
For Alabama families navigating school choice, the law is a reminder that educational opportunity and athletic dreams can — and should — coexist.