Sponsors (74)
I'll give you the short version of this bill.
This is not an official government website.
Copyright © 2026 PLEJ LC. All rights reserved.
Adds new paragraphs (13), (14), and (15) to 36 U.S.C. 220501(b) defining the terms "female", "male", and "sex".
Modifies paragraph (18) (striking "and"), modifies paragraph (19) (replacing terminal period with a semicolon), and adds paragraph (20) prohibiting participation by males in amateur athletic competitions designated for females, women, or girls.
Adds definitions of “female,” “male,” and “sex” in federal law and amends Title 36, U.S. Code to prohibit any person whose sex is male from participating in athletic competitions designated for females, women, or girls. The change applies to competitions covered under Title 36 and requires female-designated events to exclude persons defined as male.
Adds definition (13) to 36 U.S.C. 220501(b): "female" means an individual who has, had, will have—or would have, but for a developmental or genetic anomaly or historical accident—the reproductive system that at some point produces, transports, and utilizes eggs for fertilization.
Adds definition (14) to 36 U.S.C. 220501(b): "male" means an individual who has, had, will have—or would have, but for a developmental or genetic anomaly or historical accident—the reproductive system that at some point produces, transports, and utilizes sperm for fertilization.
Adds definition (15) to 36 U.S.C. 220501(b): "sex" means an individual’s biological sex, either male or female.
Amends 36 U.S.C. 220522 by striking "and" at the end of paragraph (18).
Amends 36 U.S.C. 220522 by striking the period at the end of paragraph (19) and inserting "; and".
Who is affected and how:
Transgender and gender‑diverse people (directly affected): People who are transgender, particularly transgender women and girls, would be excluded from female-designated competitions if they are defined in law as having the sex “male.” That exclusion could bar participation in Title 36–covered amateur events and may also influence other organizers' policies.
Female athletes and girls (affected institutionally): Competitions designated for females would become legally defined to exclude persons whose sex is male. Organizers of female events will need to adopt eligibility procedures that apply the new statutory definitions.
Amateur and youth sports organizations operating under Title 36 (administrative impact): These organizations will need to revise eligibility rules, registration forms, and enforcement practices to reflect the statutory definitions and prohibition, even though the statute does not provide verification procedures or designate an enforcing agency.
Colleges, schools, and community programs (indirectly affected): While the amendment explicitly alters Title 36, its policy could influence other event organizers (collegiate, scholastic, club, and youth leagues) to revise their own policies to match the federal definition or to avoid legal and public controversies.
Legal and administrative systems (possible downstream effects): Because the section defines sex and restricts participation categorically, it could lead to challenges or litigation about conflicts with other federal or state nondiscrimination laws, organizational bylaws, and constitutional claims. The text contains no guidance on enforcement, reporting, or remedies, leaving those questions to be resolved by affected organizations, administrative bodies, or courts.
Overall effects:
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Introduced February 5, 2025 by W. Greg Steube · Last progress February 5, 2025
Expand sections to see detailed analysis
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 423.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 119-497.
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 15 - 10.
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held