Two bills introduced in the West Virginia Legislature are aiming to place new limits on high school transfer rules, a long-debated issue in school athletics.
Senate Bill 689 would revise current state law to allow high school students in West Virginia to transfer schools during their freshman or sophomore years without losing athletic eligibility.
In the House of Delegates, House Bill 4759 proposes similar transfer restrictions but adds specific deadlines. Under the bill, a transfer would need to take place before the 30th day of the current school year.
The House measure also outlines requirements for students transferring during their eighth-grade year, stating the move must be completed before June 15 to maintain eligibility.
Students would also be allowed to transfer back to their home school by June 15 of their freshman or sophomore year without losing athletic eligibility.
Any transfers made after June 15 of a student’s junior or senior year would require approval from the West Virginia Secondary School Activities Commission to avoid a loss of eligibility.
Under current law, students may transfer at any time during their high school career without losing eligibility.
The existing rules also do not limit the number of transfers and leave eligibility decisions to the discretion of the WVSSAC.
Del. Dana Ferrell, one of the sponsors of the House bill, previously introduced similar legislation during the 2025 legislative session, though it did not advance. He has said the current system puts many schools at a disadvantage.
West Virginia Del. JB Akers echoed those concerns, saying the current rule “seems too wide open.”
Both bills would take effect starting with the 2026–27 school year if approved. They are currently under review in their respective education committees.