Texas Governor Greg Abbott (R) has signed Texas Senate Bill 15 into law, known as the “Save Women’s Sports Act,” which prohibits collegiate-level athletes from competing in sports categories that do not align with their biological sex, such as men from competing in women’s sports.
The law requires athletes to participate in gendered competitions based on the sex listed on their birth certificate. The bill explicitly states that a student cannot compete in intercollegiate athletic competitions designated for the opposite biological sex. It also prohibits male students from participating in mixed-sex intercollegiate athletic competitions in positions designated for female students.
However, the law does allow for female students to compete in intercollegiate athletic competitions designated for male students if there is no corresponding competition available for female students.
Governor Abbott emphasized the importance of the law in protecting the opportunities for female athletes in Texas, including young girls aspiring to compete in college sports. He expressed concerns that allowing biological men to compete against women would hinder the success of female athletes.
Champion power lifter Jade Dickens and former NCAA champion swimmer Jeri Shanteau were present at the bill signing to show their support. The governor stated that the Save Women’s Sports Act aims to protect young women in Texas colleges and universities by preventing men from competing against them in college sports.
The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, responsible for overseeing the state’s post-secondary education, has been assigned the task of drafting and adopting rules to ensure compliance with the new state laws.
Additionally, the board is expected to ensure compliance with existing federal laws that protect student health and medical information confidentiality. The law is set to go into effect on September 1, 2023, at the earliest.
