by Pat Raia, [email protected]
A measure that would forbid transgender athletes from competing with biological female athletes awaits the Governor’s signature after being passed by the Legislature.
Originally filed by Rep. Kaylee Tuck, (R-Lake Placid) HB 1475, the Fairness in Women’s Sports Act requires that athletic teams or sports be expressly designated as for males, men or boys; females, women or girls, or coed or mixed. It also requires that teams or sports designated for females must not be open to “students of the male sex.”
Under the bill, any dispute regarding a student’s biological sex would be resolved by a health examination and consent form signed by the student’s personal health care provider.
On April 14 HB1475 cleared the House by a 70-44 margin.
Similar standalone legislation SB 2012 was introduced into the Senate by Sen. Kelli Stargel but was later stalled in committee.
On April 28 Tuck introduced an amendment that attached the ban to SB 1028 a charter school bill.
The House passed the bill by a vote of 79-37. It was approved by the Senate by a 23-16 margin.
The legislation now moves to Gov. Ron DeSantis’s desk for his signature.
