Bill > S350

This bill aims to address participation in school sports by proposing that no public school can require a student athlete on a single-sex sports team to play against a team that includes athletes of the opposite sex. Specifically, the legislation prohibits penalizing student athletes who refuse to participate in such matches, and protects coaches from punishment if they choose to forfeit a game against a mixed-sex team. The bill also prevents educational organizations like the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association from penalizing schools, teams, coaches, or athletes for forfeiting such matches, though the forfeit may still be recorded as a loss. The bill defines a "single-sex team" as a team specifically designated as either a girls' or boys' team, as opposed to a co-ed team. By providing these protections, the legislation seeks to ensure what its sponsors view as fairness and safety in school sports, though it could potentially impact transgender athletes' ability to participate in sports teams that align with their gender identity. The bill would take effect immediately upon passage.

Education

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/S350