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VA HB1809

VA HB1809
K-12 schools and higher educational institutions; student participation in women's sports, etc.


summary

Introduced
01/06/2025
In Committee
01/06/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
02/22/2025

Introduced Session

2025 Regular Session

Bill Summary

K-12 schools and institutions of higher education; student participation in women's sports; civil cause of action. Requires each interscholastic, intercollegiate, intramural, or club athletic team or sport sponsored by a public school, or any other school that is a member of the Virginia High School League, or by a public institution of higher education to be expressly designated as one of the following based on the biological sex of the students who participate on the team or in the sport: (i) males, men, or boys; (ii) females, women, or girls; or (iii) coed or mixed if participation on such team or sport is open to both males and females. The bill requires that the biological sex of any student seeking to participate on such an expressly designated team be affirmed by a signed physician's statement. The bill prohibits any such team or sport that is expressly designated for females from being open to students whose biological sex is male. The bill prohibits any government entity, licensing or accrediting organization, or athletic association or organization from entertaining a complaint, opening an investigation, or taking any other adverse action against any such school or institution of higher education based on a violation of the provisions of the bill and creates a cause of action for any school or institution of higher education that suffers harm as a result of a violation of the bill. Finally, the bill creates a civil cause of action for any student who suffers harm as a result of a knowing violation of a provision of the bill by a school or institution or as a result of the student's reporting a violation of a provision of the bill by a school, institution, athletic association, or organization.

AI Summary

This bill requires K-12 schools and higher educational institutions to designate athletic teams and sports based on the biological sex of participants, with teams categorized as either male, female, or coed. For female-designated teams, participation would be restricted to students whose biological sex is female, and students must provide a physician's signed statement affirming their biological sex. The bill prohibits government entities, athletic associations, and accrediting organizations from taking adverse actions against schools that maintain sex-specific teams. Furthermore, the bill establishes a legal mechanism allowing students who are harmed by violations of these provisions to file civil lawsuits for injunctive relief and damages. The legislation is grounded in findings about physiological differences between males and females, citing scientific research suggesting that male athletes generally have significant physical advantages in most sports due to factors like bone density, muscle composition, heart and lung capacity, and testosterone levels. The bill aims to protect opportunities for female athletes by ensuring they can compete on teams where they are not at a competitive disadvantage due to inherent biological differences, with the stated goal of promoting sex equality and providing fair athletic opportunities.

Sponsors (4)

Last Action

Left in Rules (on 02/04/2025)

bill text


bill summary

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bill summary

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bill summary

Document Type Source Location
State Bill Page https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20251/HB1809
Fiscal Note/Analysis - Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB1809) https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1026006.PDF
BillText https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20251/HB1809/text/HB1809
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