How new Florida law will change high school sports rosters overnight

The balance of power in Florida high school sports could be shifting this summer.

At least, in certain circumstances.

Senate Bill 538 is awaiting the signature of Gov. Ron DeSantis. If he does sign it, it would require non-traditional student-athletes to play sports at a high school in the county in which they reside.

“I think it’s going to slow down transfers a little bit,” said Craig Damon, Florida High School Athletic Association executive director. “By transfers, I mean kids playing on different teams as a non-traditional student. It’s going to make non-traditional students all have the same guidelines. It will make it a little easier on our ADs as to who can play where. It’s a step in the right direction.”

According to FHSAA Bylaw 1.4.31, “Non-Traditional Students are students who are not enrolled in and do not physically attend the school at which they participate. These include home education students, Personalized Education Program (PEP) students, charter school students, approved alternative/special school students, private school students, virtual school students, and traditional public school students.”

The FHSAA allows students who attend one school to play a sport at another school if the school they attend does not offer that sport.

A DIFFERENT LAW: Will Teddy Bridgewater Act really help student-athletes who need it?

But what students would no longer be able to do is reside in one county and play high school athletics in another. For some teams, including some state powers, this could be a big issue come July 1, when the rules would go into effect. It also could mean several roster moves over the summer.

How new law would have impacted past FHSAA controversies

Gadsden County’s 2025 postseason football ban stemmed primarily from issues surrounding non-traditional students. That team includes students from Georgia, who would be ineligible to play under the proposed rules.