Texas Legislation Introduces New Opportunities for High School Athletes with Proposed House Bill 619

In Texas, big changes could soon be coming to the high school sports landscape. A proposed bill known as House Bill 619, introduced by state representative Barbara Gervin Hawkins, aims to allow high school athletes to transfer to a different school district for athletic reasons, just once during their high school career.

If the bill is passed, starting September 1, 2025, student-athletes would be eligible to move from their current school to another district without their original district being able to block the transfer. The only condition is that the transfer must be agreed upon by both the new school and the athlete’s parent or guardian in writing. Under this proposal, students cannot transfer again before they graduate from high school.

This bill is particularly significant as it also includes protections for athletes from penalties or sanctions related to the University Interscholastic League (UIL). This means that if a student follows all the rules outlined in the bill, they won’t face any repercussions from the UIL for switching schools for sports.

For the bill to become law, it will need a two-thirds majority vote in the Texas House of Representatives. If approved, the new transfer rules could have a major impact on recruitment and building competitive teams across the state.

As the September deadline approaches, many athletes, parents, and athletic directors are keenly watching the progression of this bill. Should it pass, it could open up new opportunities for thousands of students looking to take their athletic careers to the next level.

Stay tuned for updates on this unfolding story, as it has the potential to reshape Texas high school sports.