Bill Caption

Relating to requiring public school students to compete in interscholastic athletic competitions based on sex and a study conducted by the University Interscholastic League on the effects of allowing a student to participate in an athletic competition designated for the sex opposite to the student's sex.

Fiscal Notes

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

Bill Analysis

SB 29 would require school district and open-enrollment charter school students who compete in University Interscholastic League athletic events to compete in events designated for the student's biological sex. Students would be prohibited from competing in a UIL event designated for the student's opposite biological sex. 

The bill would make an exception for girls, allowing them to join a boys team if, and only if, there is no girl's team in the given sport.

SB 29 would also require the University Interscholastic League to conduct a study to determine if allowing students to participate in sports teams designated for the opposite biological sex causes disruptions for the team or restricts opportunities for teammates whose biological sex matches the sex the team was designated for. The provisions laid out in SB 29 would also expire in 2027.

Vote Recommendation Notes

Texas Action supports SB 29 because it espouses the individual liberty and personal responsibility principles. Public school students participating in athletics separated by biological sex expect, and should be expected, to compete against their biological peers. Allowing students to participate in sports programs opposite their biological sex creates unfair advantages, particularly for biological males who compete against biological females. This flies in the face of the spirit of competition that school sports are meant to foster. Moreover, it can, depending on the sport, dramatically increase the risk of serious injuries, and schools have a responsibility to keep Texas students safe.