Bill > SB41

This bill amends Georgia's education law to strengthen provisions for equal athletic opportunities in public schools, with several key provisions. The bill requires local school systems to provide comparable and equivalent resources (such as equipment, facilities, coaching, and funding) for athletic teams of both genders, and explicitly prohibits gender-based discrimination in athletic participation. It establishes a comprehensive framework for ensuring gender equity in school athletics, including requiring schools to designate an employee to coordinate compliance and investigate complaints. The bill introduces a new private right of action for students who are denied athletic opportunities or experience retaliation, allowing them to seek injunctive relief and potentially recover attorney's fees and damages. Notably, the bill removes language that previously allowed athletic associations to prohibit students of a specific gender from participating in athletic events, and it mandates that the Department of Education publish an annual report on athletic expenditures and participation rates by gender. The legislation also preserves existing protections for students with disabilities and maintains provisions for separate teams based on competitive skill or contact sports. The bill aims to ensure that public school students have fair and equal access to athletic opportunities, regardless of gender, with robust mechanisms for addressing potential inequities.

Education

https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/69576