Women's Rights In Athletics

The bill requires any intercollegiate, interscholastic, intramural, or club athletic team, sport, or athletic event to be designated as one of the following, based on the biological sex at birth of the participating students: Male, female, or coeducational. Male and female athletes may only participate on teams designated to their respective sexes. The bill prohibits a governmental entity from investigating a complaint or taking any adverse action against a public school, school district, activities association or organization, institution of higher education, or any employee or governing board member for complying with the bill.

The bill creates a cause of action for a student, school, or institution that suffers harm as a result of noncompliance with the bill. There is also a cause of action for a student who suffers retaliation for reporting violations of the bill. The statutes of limitations for the causes of action are 2 years and a prevailing party is entitled to reasonable attorney fees. The attorney general is required to provide legal representation to a school, school district, association, or institution of higher education that is sued for complying with the bill.

(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.)