Title IX Clarification Act of 2026

Bill Number

H.R. 8781

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 2

Policy Area

Education

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2026-05-13: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.

Last Updated

2026-07-03T08:06:26Z

AI-Generated Summary

Title IX Clarification Act of 2026 (H.R. 8781)

Purpose

This legislation clarifies that federal nondiscrimination rules under Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, which apply to education programs or activities receiving federal financial assistance, define prohibited discrimination based on biological sex rather than other interpretations.

Key Provisions

• Amends Section 901(c) of the Education Amendments of 1972 (20 U.S.C. 1681(c)) to add explicit definitions.
• Defines the term "sex" as referring to an individual's biologically determined sex, as either male or female.
• Defines "female" as a natural person who naturally has, had, will have, or would have (absent certain anomalies or disruptions) the reproductive system that produces, transports, and utilizes the large gamete (ova).
• Defines "male" as a natural person who naturally has, had, will have, or would have (absent certain anomalies or disruptions) the reproductive system that produces, transports, and utilizes the small gamete (sperm).
• The amendments apply to education programs and activities receiving federal financial assistance on or after the date of enactment.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Introduces specific biological definitions for "sex," "female," and "male" into Title IX for the first time, replacing any prior reliance on broader or interpretive meanings.
• Does not alter the core prohibition on sex discrimination but limits its application to biological criteria.

Potential Impacts

• Affects educational institutions, including schools and colleges, that receive federal funding by requiring compliance with biological-sex-based distinctions in areas such as athletics, facilities, and programs.
• May influence federal agency enforcement practices by the Department of Education and other entities overseeing Title IX compliance.
• Could affect students and families by reinforcing sex-based categories in educational settings.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Educational institutions receiving federal financial assistance.
• Students participating in education programs or activities.
• Parents and guardians of students.
• Federal agencies responsible for Title IX enforcement and funding oversight.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Represents a statutory clarification of Title IX's scope, potentially affecting ongoing interpretations or regulations that extend protections beyond biological sex.
• Raises questions about consistency with prior judicial or administrative expansions of the law, though it operates within Congress's authority to amend statutes.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Arrington, Jodey C. [R-TX-19]

Cosponsors (41)

Rep. Downing, Troy [R-MT-2], Rep. McCormick, Richard [R-GA-7], Rep. Fulcher, Russ [R-ID-1], Rep. Smith, Christopher H. [R-NJ-4], Rep. Bost, Mike [R-IL-12], Rep. Tenney, Claudia [R-NY-24], Rep. Biggs, Sheri [R-SC-3], Rep. Moore, Barry [R-AL-1], Rep. Rulli, Michael A. [R-OH-6], Rep. Steube, W. Gregory [R-FL-17], Rep. Pfluger, August [R-TX-11], Rep. Stauber, Pete [R-MN-8], Rep. Carter, Earl L. "Buddy" [R-GA-1], Rep. Simpson, Michael K. [R-ID-2], Rep. Massie, Thomas [R-KY-4], Rep. Babin, Brian [R-TX-36], Rep. Harshbarger, Diana [R-TN-1], Rep. Moore, Riley M. [R-WV-2], Rep. Smith, Adrian [R-NE-3], Rep. McDowell, Addison P. [R-NC-6], Rep. Fedorchak, Julie [R-ND-At Large], Rep. Mann, Tracey [R-KS-1], Rep. Allen, Rick W. [R-GA-12], Rep. Palmer, Gary J. [R-AL-6], Rep. Miller, Mary E. [R-IL-15], Rep. Webster, Daniel [R-FL-11], Rep. Fry, Russell [R-SC-7], Rep. Finstad, Brad [R-MN-1], Rep. Rose, John W. [R-TN-6], Rep. Harrigan, Pat [R-NC-10], Rep. Moran, Nathaniel [R-TX-1], Rep. Williams, Roger [R-TX-25], Rep. Balderson, Troy [R-OH-12], Rep. Davidson, Warren [R-OH-8], Rep. Goldman, Craig A. [R-TX-12], Rep. Fallon, Pat [R-TX-4], Rep. Sessions, Pete [R-TX-17], Rep. Aderholt, Robert B. [R-AL-4], Rep. Moore, Tim [R-NC-14], Rep. Higgins, Clay [R-LA-3], Rep. Taylor, David J. [R-OH-2]

Recent Actions

• 2026-05-13: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
• 2026-05-13: Introduced in House
• 2026-05-13: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Title IX Clarification Act of 2026 — issued 2026-05-13 — PDF (3 pages)