Congress·In Committee·S. 405

Congress weighs new rules to bar males from women’s Olympic and amateur sports divisions

Protection of Women in Olympic and Amateur Sports Act

about 1 year ago·View on Congress.gov

Part of: Federal Bills Seek to Define Sex and Restrict Participation in Women's Sports

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Stalled

No legislative action in over 90 days.

Legislative Progress

Senate

House

President

Law

Key Points

Would define “female,” “male,” and “sex” in federal law based on biological reproductive systems.
Would require U.S. amateur sports governing bodies to bar people whose sex is male from competing in events labeled for females, women, or girls.
Could affect eligibility rules for Olympic-track athletes and other high-level amateur sports that follow these governing bodies’ standards.
Supporters may say it protects fairness in women’s sports; critics may say it targets transgender athletes and could lead to disputes over who qualifies.
If enacted, sports groups might need new policies for enforcing eligibility, which could affect athletes, teams, and event organizers.

EducationCivil Rights

Impact Analysis

Personal Impact

How this policy affects specific groups of people

Negative Impacts(1)

Lgbtq

Hurts

Mixed Impacts(1)

Child Tax Credit

Neutral

Milestones

2 milestones2 actions

Feb 5, 2025Senate

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

Feb 5, 2025

Introduced in Senate

What Happens Next

Projected impacts based on AI analysis

After the bill becomes law; likely before the next competition season or major championship cycle

Covered amateur sports governing bodies update their eligibility rules to bar males from female-designated competitions

Athletes registering for women’s or girls’ events may face new eligibility screens and clearer bans in rulebooks

As soon as updated rules are enforced at qualifying events

Some athletes are required to switch divisions or are denied entry to women’s/girls’ events

Competition options may shrink for affected athletes, and standings/qualification paths may change for others

During the first registration cycle after the law takes effect

Governing bodies adjust event communications (team selection rules, entry forms, eligibility language)

Coaches and families will need to follow new sign-up instructions and deadlines to avoid disqualification

Related News

1 article

The Daily Wire·about 1 year ago

Daily Wire EXCLUSIVE: Tuberville Moves To Protect Women’s Olympic Sports From Trans-Identifying Males

Exclusive report on the reintroduction of the Protection of Women in Olympic and Amateur Sports Act, framing it as a push to bar male athletes from women’s Olympic categories via USOPC-recognized governing bodies.

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