Bill > H5842

This bill establishes the "Fairness in Women's Sports Act," which mandates that athletic teams in public schools and higher education institutions be categorized strictly by biological sex at birth, rather than gender identity. The bill defines three possible team categories: males/men/boys, females/women/girls, and coed/mixed, with female teams explicitly prohibited from including students of male biological sex. If a student's sex is disputed, they must provide a physician's statement verifying their sex based on reproductive anatomy, testosterone levels, and genetic makeup. The legislation allows students who are denied athletic opportunities or experience retaliation due to these rules to file private legal actions seeking damages, injunctive relief, and other remedies. The bill is grounded in extensive scientific and legal citations describing physiological differences between males and females, arguing that separate sports categories are necessary to ensure fair competition and provide meaningful opportunities for female athletes. Notably, the law includes protections for educational institutions against potential complaints or investigations related to maintaining sex-specific athletic teams and includes a severability clause to ensure that if any part of the law is found invalid, the rest remains in effect. The act is set to take effect on January 1, 2026.

Education

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