Connecticut Senate Bill SB00690

Connecticut 2025 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/16/25
• Refer: 1/16/25

Caption

An Act Providing Civil Immunity To Interscholastic Athletic Organizations And The Sanctioning Bodies Of Private Youth Organizations That Adopt Gender Identity Policies Concerning Athletic Participation And Competition.

Impact

The enactment of SB00690 would represent a significant modification to existing statutes regarding the rights of youth athletes in Connecticut. By establishing civil immunity for certain organizations, the bill could influence how gender identity is interpreted and applied within competitive sports contexts. It is expected to encourage athletic organizations to adopt more stringent policies regarding the gender participation of athletes, potentially aligning these policies with the stipulations laid out in the bill.

Summary

SB00690 is a proposed bill in the Connecticut General Assembly that aims to provide civil immunity to interscholastic athletic organizations and the sanctioning bodies of private youth organizations when they adopt gender identity policies concerning athletic participation and competition. Specifically, the bill seeks to protect these organizations from civil liability in cases where they require participants to compete on teams that align with their gender as specified on their birth certificates, rather than their gender identity.

Contention

The bill has sparked debate among lawmakers, advocacy groups, and participants in youth athletics. Proponents argue that SB00690 is necessary to protect the integrity of women's sports and ensure a level playing field, asserting that competition should occur strictly according to biological sex as determined at birth. Conversely, opponents express concerns about the bill's implications for inclusivity and the potential harm it may cause to transgender youth, arguing that such legislation might further marginalize individuals based on their gender identity and create barriers to participation in sports.