BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 2920 89R16143 RDR-D By: Campbell; Creighton Education K-16 4/14/2025 As Filed AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT The University Interscholastic League (UIL), under Section 33.091 of the Texas Education Code, regulates student participation in public school athletic competitions, including a prohibition on steroid use unless prescribed by a medical practitioner for a valid medical purpose. This exemption was intended to accommodate legitimate medical treatments while safeguarding fairness and competitive integrity, particularly in light of longstanding concerns regarding performance-enhancing substances such as testosterone. Following the passage of H.B. 25 during the 87th Legislative Sessionwhich requires students to compete in athletics based on biological sex as listed on their birth certificate to ensure equal opportunities under Title IXthe Texas Attorney General issued Opinion KP-04811 (February 6, 2025), clarifying that administering steroids to minors for purposes of gender transition does not qualify as a valid medical purpose under Section 33.091(h), consistent with broader prohibitions on such treatments under Health & Safety Code Section 161.702. Notwithstanding UIL rules and H.B. 25, ambiguity remains regarding the applicability of the steroid exemption to gender-affirming treatments. This lack of clarity has raised concerns about enforcement, particularly in cases involving transgender students prescribed testosterone, which may confer a performance advantage. Complaints referenced in KP-0481 underscore fears that without explicit statutory guidance, schools and the UIL may be unable to consistently investigate or sanction such use, resulting in competitive imbalances and potential violations of state law. The absence of a specific exclusion for transition-related steroid use creates a legal and regulatory gap that may undermine the integrity of girls' athletics and compromise participant safety. As proposed, S.B. 2920 amends current law relating to the regulation of steroid use by students participating in athletic competitions sponsored or sanctioned by the University Interscholastic League. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Section 33.091(h), Education Code, to provide that a valid medical purpose for the dispensation, prescription, delivery, and administration by a medical practitioner of a steroid does not include the provision of steroids to a minor student to transition the student's biological sex. SECTION 2. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2025.
BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center S.B. 2920
89R16143 RDR-D By: Campbell; Creighton
Education K-16
4/14/2025
As Filed
Senate Research Center
S.B. 2920
89R16143 RDR-D
By: Campbell; Creighton
Education K-16
4/14/2025
As Filed
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
The University Interscholastic League (UIL), under Section 33.091 of the Texas Education Code, regulates student participation in public school athletic competitions, including a prohibition on steroid use unless prescribed by a medical practitioner for a valid medical purpose. This exemption was intended to accommodate legitimate medical treatments while safeguarding fairness and competitive integrity, particularly in light of longstanding concerns regarding performance-enhancing substances such as testosterone.
Following the passage of H.B. 25 during the 87th Legislative Sessionwhich requires students to compete in athletics based on biological sex as listed on their birth certificate to ensure equal opportunities under Title IXthe Texas Attorney General issued Opinion KP-04811 (February 6, 2025), clarifying that administering steroids to minors for purposes of gender transition does not qualify as a valid medical purpose under Section 33.091(h), consistent with broader prohibitions on such treatments under Health & Safety Code Section 161.702.
Notwithstanding UIL rules and H.B. 25, ambiguity remains regarding the applicability of the steroid exemption to gender-affirming treatments. This lack of clarity has raised concerns about enforcement, particularly in cases involving transgender students prescribed testosterone, which may confer a performance advantage. Complaints referenced in KP-0481 underscore fears that without explicit statutory guidance, schools and the UIL may be unable to consistently investigate or sanction such use, resulting in competitive imbalances and potential violations of state law. The absence of a specific exclusion for transition-related steroid use creates a legal and regulatory gap that may undermine the integrity of girls' athletics and compromise participant safety.
As proposed, S.B. 2920 amends current law relating to the regulation of steroid use by students participating in athletic competitions sponsored or sanctioned by the University Interscholastic League.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Section 33.091(h), Education Code, to provide that a valid medical purpose for the dispensation, prescription, delivery, and administration by a medical practitioner of a steroid does not include the provision of steroids to a minor student to transition the student's biological sex.
SECTION 2. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2025.