Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act of 2023
Impact
The bill would have significant implications for state laws and educational institutions that receive federal funding. By enforcing strict criteria based on biological sex, the legislation could potentially exclude transgender females from competing in women's sports. This aligns federal regulations with a growing trend among several states to enact laws that restrict transgender athletes' participation based on their birth sex, thereby reshaping the landscape of women's athletics at multiple levels, including high school and collegiate competitions.
Summary
SB613, officially titled the 'Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act of 2023', aims to amend the Education Amendments of 1972 to define sex in athletics based solely on a person's reproductive biology and genetics at birth. This legislation seeks to ensure that individuals assigned male at birth are prohibited from participating in athletic programs designated for women and girls. The bill emphasizes the importance of preserving women's sports and providing a fair competitive environment for female athletes.
Contention
There are notable points of contention surrounding SB613. Proponents argue that the bill is necessary to protect the integrity and fairness of women's sports. They assert that allowing individuals who are biologically male to compete undermines the hard-fought gains made for women's athletics. Conversely, opponents of the bill contend that it discriminates against transgender individuals and violates principles of equality and inclusion. Critics argue that gender identity should be recognized within the context of sports, and that this legislation could harm the participation and mental well-being of transgender athletes.
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.The bill does not prohibit male individuals from training or practicing with programs or activities for women or girls as long as such training or practice does not deprive any female of corresponding opportunities or benefits.The Government Accountability Office must report on the benefits for women or girls in single-sex sports that would be lost as a result of male participation. In particular, the report must document the negative psychological, developmental, participatory, and sociological effects of male participation on girls.
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.
A resolution supporting the designation of the week of June 18 through June 24, 2023, as "National Women's Sports Week" to celebrate the anniversary of the enactment of title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 and the growth of women's sports.