Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA) executive director Heath Harmon has revealed the association will comply with a new state law ensuring student-athletes who use school choice funds are not forced to sit out of competition.

In 2024, the CHOOSE Act established education savings accounts for students who choose alternative schooling methods or wind up attending a school outside their zone.

Back in September, Governor Ivey and House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter (R-Rainsville) filed a lawsuit against AHSAA after the association moved to require student-athletes who transfer using CHOOSE Act funds to sit out for one year before competing.

A judge blocked AHSAA’s rule while the issue played out in court, and lawmakers later stepped in to address it during this year’s legislative session.

The  “Let the Kids Play Act,” was signed into law by Ivey on Tuesday which allows CHOOSE Act participants to sue the AHSAA in specific circumstances, and the association now says they are going to comply.

“Now that the law has been clarified, today the Alabama High School Athletic Association followed its own longstanding legislative process and removed the Choose Act Funds from the definition of financial aid,” Harmon said. “No student will be ruled ineligible based solely on his or her receiving Choose Act funds. However, as stated in the new law, all AHSAA rules on eligibility with transfers and residency still apply.”

Previously, AHSAA classified CHOOSE Act funds as financial aid. That classification has now been changed, eliminating the requirement for affected student-athletes to sit out for one year.