H574 - Fairness in Women's Sports Act. (SL 2023-109)

Overview: S.L. 2023-109, as amended by section 18 of S.L. 2023-133 does the following:

• Prohibits male students from playing on middle school, high school, or collegiate athletics teams designated for females, women, or girls.
• Requires a student's sex to be recognized solely based on reproductive biology and genetics at birth for purposes of athletic participation.
• Creates a civil cause of action for students who are harmed as a result of a violation of the requirements, or who are retaliated against for reporting violations.
• Creates a civil cause of action for public school units and institutions of higher education that suffer harm as a result of following the requirements.

This bill was vetoed by the Governor on July 5, 2023, and that veto was overridden by the General Assembly on August 16, 2023. This act became effective August 16, 2023, and applies beginning with the 2023-2024 school year.