Defend Girls Athletics Act

This bill ties federal funding for schools and colleges to following an executive order about who can compete in women’s sports, based on biological sex. Schools would have to follow these rules to keep getting federal money, and colleges would also have to follow them to stay in federal student aid programs.

If a district, state, or college is found not following the rules, they could have to return unused federal funds and lose access to future funds or programs until they comply.

Key points

• Who is affected: Public K–12 schools and their districts; state education agencies; colleges and universities; students who use federal financial aid and student loans .
• What changes: K–12 districts must certify each year that they follow the women’s sports rules; states must report which districts did not certify. Colleges must certify each year to stay eligible for any federal program, including federally funded or guaranteed student loans .
• Deadlines: K–12 certifications due by August 15; state reports due by September 15; college certifications due by July 1 each year .
• Consequences: Return unused federal funds and become ineligible for new funds or programs until back in compliance; this also applies if a state misses its reporting deadline for K–12 .