TBA Law Blog


Posted by: Azya Thornton on Feb 25, 2026

Gov. Bill Lee signed SB16 into law this week, allowing Tennessee high school athletes to gain immediate eligibility after one transfer beginning July 1. The law expands eligibility for student-athletes in grades 6-8 and 9-12 who transfer schools for the first time during the summer without making a bona fide change of address, provided other requirements are met, Knox News reports. The Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association, which governs high school sports in the state, worked with bill sponsors on the legislation and is expected to present bylaw revisions to its Legislative Council in April to comply with the new law. Traditionally, many state athletic associations have denied immediate eligibility to transferring student-athletes unless they moved into a new school district, though some states, including Tennessee, are shifting to one-time transfer policies.