Virginia Senate Bill SB766

Virginia 2022 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/21/22
• Refer: 1/21/22

Caption

Schools; male students shall not participate in female sports, etc., civil cause of action.

Impact

The enactment of SB766 would have significant implications on school athletic programs, requiring all educational institutions to strictly adhere to the classification of teams based on biological sex. This change not only affects public schools but also private schools that engage in athletic competitions against public institutions. The bill emphasizes a clear distinction in team composition, potentially influencing participation rates and the structure of existing athletic programs.

Summary

SB766 introduces a new section to the Code of Virginia regarding participation in athletic teams based on biological sex. Under this bill, all school athletic teams must designate their teams as male, female, or coed, explicitly prohibiting male students from participating in teams designated for females. The bill aims to ensure that sports played in schools are segregated by biological sex, which proponents argue is necessary for fair competition in female sports.

Contention

Notable points of contention regarding SB766 include concerns surrounding gender identity, equality, and access to sports. Opponents of the bill argue that such restrictions could be seen as discriminatory against transgender and non-binary students, effectively limiting their participation in school sports. The bill also opens up the potential for civil actions against schools that violate these stipulations, granting students and schools the right to seek damages for harm resulting from any violations, raising further debates on the adequacy and fairness of redress for affected students.