Fri Apr 14, 2023 – 4:14 pm EDT
BISMARCK (LifeSiteNews) – North Dakota Republican Doug Burgum has signed a pair of bills prohibiting biological males from participating in school athletic teams designated for females, following a veto of a different bill on school transgender policy.
Starting in August, House Bills 1249 and 1489 will prohibit male students from participating in expressly-female teams in K-12 and collegiate programs, respectively, and give any female athlete harmed by a violation of this rule grounds to sue for damages.
Last year, the North Dakota High School Activities Association’s (NDHSAA) executive board made an administrative rule change prohibiting “transgender girls” (i.e., boys) from participating in girls’ sports unless a school could provide medical evidence that the student had no physical competitive advantage. Along with elevating the standard to the status of state law, the bills do away with that exception.
“Thoughtful debate over policy in this area should involve the pursuit of two goals: to continue to ensure fairness in North Dakota girls’ sports and demonstrate compassion and understanding for all North Dakota youth,” he said, the Bismarck Tribune reports. “North Dakota continues to have a level playing field and fairness
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