Us Congress 2025-2026 Regular Session

Us Congress Senate Bill SB9

Caption

Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act of 2025This bill generally prohibits school athletic programs from allowing individuals whose biological sex at birth was male to participate in programs that are for women or girls.Specifically, the bill provides that it is a violation of Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 for federally funded education programs or activities to operate, sponsor, or facilitate athletic programs or activities that allow individuals of the male sex to participate in programs or activities that are designated for women or girls. (Title IX prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in federally funded education programs or activities, including in public elementary and secondary schools and in colleges and universities.) Under the bill, sex is based on an individual's reproductive biology and genetics at birth.

Impact

If enacted, SB9 would significantly impact the existing framework of Title IX by reinforcing a biological definition of sex within educational settings, specifically concerning athletics. It aims to ensure that competitions for women are reserved exclusively for those who are biologically female at birth. This legislative approach could lead to more stringent policies at schools and universities, enforcing this definition for participation in women's sports, potentially affecting a wide array of educational institutions that receive federal funds.

Summary

Senate Bill 9, officially titled the 'Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act of 2025', seeks to amend Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 by stipulating that sex shall be recognized solely based on a person's reproductive biology and genetics at birth. This legislative move intends to reinforce sex-based distinctions in athletic programs that receive federal funding, explicitly prohibiting individuals identified as male from participating in sports designated for women and girls. The bill reflects ongoing national debates around gender identity and sports competition, particularly in the context of biological advantages in athletics.

Contention

Supporters of SB9 argue that the legislation is crucial for protecting the integrity of women's sports and ensuring competitive fairness. They believe that allowing individuals who were assigned male at birth to compete against women undermines the hard-won rights of female athletes. Conversely, opponents contend that this bill discriminates against transgender athletes and denies their identity, leading to increased stigmatization and exclusion. Activists warn that such measures could stifle progress in gender equality in sports and further marginalize already vulnerable communities.

Congress_id

119-S-9

Policy_area

Sports and Recreation

Introduced_date

2025-01-07

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

US HCR54

Expressing the sense of Congress that title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 applies to the National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA), and the National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) should work to prevent discrimination on the basis of sex in its programs and activities.

US HR298

Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 734) to amend the Education Amendments of 1972 to provide that for purposes of determining compliance with title IX of such Act in athletics, sex shall be recognized based solely on a person's reproductive biology and genetics at birth, and providing for consideration of the joint resolution (H.J. Res. 42) disapproving the action of the District of Columbia Council in approving the Comprehensive Policing and Justice Reform Amendment Act of 2022.

US HB66

Native American Education Opportunity Act This bill addresses education savings account programs and charter schools for tribal students. Specifically, the bill requires the Department of Education and the Department of the Interior, at the request of federally recognized Indian tribes, to provide funds to tribes for tribal-based education savings account programs. Tribes must use these funds to award grants to education savings accounts for students who (1) attended or will be eligible to attend a school operated by the Bureau of Indian Education (BIE); or (2) will not be attending a school operated by the BIE, receiving an education savings account from another tribe, or attending public elementary or secondary school while participating in the program. Funds may be used for items and activities such as costs of attendance at private schools, private tutoring and online learning programs, textbooks, educational software, or examination fees. The Government Accountability Office must review the implementation of these education savings account programs, including any factors impacting increased participation in such programs. Additionally, the bill authorizes the BIE to approve and fund charter schools at any school that it operates or funds.

US HJR165

Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of Education relating to "Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Sex in Education Programs or Activities Receiving Federal Financial Assistance".

US HR651

Condemning the decision of the Secretary of Education to prohibit the use of funds under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 for hunter, archery, and other shooting sports education programs in schools and explicitly affirming that school programs that train students in archery, hunting, or other shooting sports are eligible for Federal funding under such Act.

US SB5

Equality Act This bill prohibits discrimination based on sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity with respect to businesses, employment, housing, federally funded programs, and other settings. Specifically, the bill expands Title II and Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to prohibit public accommodations and federally funded programs, respectively, from discriminating based on sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity. It also includes stores, transit services, recreational facilities, and establishments that provide health care, accounting, or legal services as public accommodations under Title II. The bill also expands Title IV (desegregation of public schools) and Title VII (employment discrimination) to specifically include sexual orientation and gender identity. (The Supreme Court held in Bostock v. Clayton County that Title VII's prohibition of employment discrimination based on sex also prohibits employment discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity.) The bill similarly expands the Fair Housing Act (discrimination in public and private housing) to include sexual orientation and gender identity. It also prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity by creditors and with respect to jury selection. The bill defines sex for purposes of the aforementioned provisions to include sex stereotypes, pregnancy, childbirth, sexual orientation, gender identity, and sex characteristics.

US HB15

Equality Act This bill prohibits discrimination based on sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity with respect to businesses, employment, housing, federally funded programs, and other settings. Specifically, the bill expands Title II and Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to prohibit public accommodations and federally funded programs, respectively, from discriminating based on sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity. It also includes stores, transit services, recreational facilities, and establishments that provide health care, accounting, or legal services as public accommodations under Title II. The bill also expands Title IV (desegregation of public schools) and Title VII (employment discrimination) to specifically include sexual orientation and gender identity. (The Supreme Court held in Bostock v. Clayton County that Title VII's prohibition of employment discrimination based on sex also prohibits employment discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity.) The bill similarly expands the Fair Housing Act (discrimination in public and private housing) to include sexual orientation and gender identity. It also prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity by creditors and with respect to jury selection. The bill defines sex for purposes of the aforementioned provisions to include sex stereotypes, pregnancy, childbirth, sexual orientation, gender identity, and sex characteristics.

US HB734

Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act of 2023

US HB221

Professional Pell Education Learning Act or the PROPEL Act This bill expands student eligibility for Pell Grants by allowing students to use these grants for enrollment in educational programs that consist of vocational or technical training, flight training, apprenticeship, or other on-job training. In addition, the bill expands institutional eligibility under the Federal Pell Grant program, including by allowing these vocational and training programs to be unaccredited.

US HB201

Voluntary School Prayer Protection Act of 2023 This bill prohibits the Department of Education (ED) from providing funding for public schools that restrict voluntary school prayer. Specifically, the bill prohibits ED from providing funds to state or local educational agencies with policies that deny, or effectively prevent, individuals from voluntarily participating in public school prayer that is constitutionally protected.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.