Bill > HB1973

This bill modifies guidelines for student participation in athletic competitions by establishing that students must compete in athletics based on their biological sex as indicated on their official birth certificate. The bill defines "sex" as the two main categories of male and female determined by reproductive biology at birth and genome, and finds that there is a disparity in athletic participation between males and females. Under the proposed law, schools and educational institutions are prohibited from allowing students to compete in athletic competitions designated for the biological sex opposite to their birth certificate-designated sex, with a limited exception for female students to compete in male-designated competitions if no corresponding female competition exists. Schools that violate this provision would lose state funding, and students or their guardians would have the right to seek legal remedies if they are deprived of athletic opportunities. The bill requires state education departments to create rules implementing these guidelines while maintaining student medical information confidentiality. The legislation aims to protect and ensure athletic opportunities for female students by preventing what the bill describes as potential unfair advantages in athletic competitions.

https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB1973&year=2026&code=R