Fair Play for Girls Act

Bill Number

S. 74

Origin Chamber

Senate

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Crime and Law Enforcement

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-01-13: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Last Updated

2025-07-21T19:32:26Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The Fair Play for Girls Act aims to address concerns about violence, harassment, and unfair competition faced by female athletes in the United States. It requires the Attorney General to produce a comprehensive report to inform Congress on these issues and provide policy recommendations.

Key Provisions

• Report Requirement: Within one year of the bill's enactment, the Attorney General must submit a detailed report to specified congressional committees in both the Senate (Judiciary, Commerce, Science, and Transportation; Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions) and the House (Judiciary, Energy and Commerce; Education and the Workforce).
• Content of the Report:
• An analysis covering:
• Barriers to fair and safe athletic competition for biological female athletes (referring to athletes born female).
• How often biological female athletes lose opportunities, such as medals or championships, when competing against biological male athletes (referring to athletes born male).
• The success of state laws designed to reduce risks of injury or lost opportunities from allowing biological males to participate in women's sports.
• The frequency and underlying causes of online violence, harassment, and abuse targeting women and girls in athletics.
• The occurrence of sexual harassment and abuse against women and girls in athletics.
• The effectiveness of existing federal and state laws in preventing sexual harassment and abuse in athletics.
• Policy recommendations to address the identified problems.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

This bill introduces a new federal reporting obligation on the Department of Justice (DOJ), as there is no prior law specifically mandating such a comprehensive report on violence against women in athletics. It does not amend or repeal any existing statutes but builds on broader frameworks like Title IX (a federal law prohibiting sex-based discrimination in education, including sports) by focusing on enforcement gaps and emerging issues.

Potential Impacts

• On Government Agencies: The DOJ will need to allocate resources for research, data collection, and analysis, potentially involving coordination with other federal entities like the Department of Education or Health and Human Services.
• On Citizens: Female athletes, particularly at youth, amateur, and collegiate levels, may benefit from heightened awareness and future protections against harassment, abuse, and unfair competition. It could indirectly influence sports participation rules, encouraging safer environments.
• On International Relations: Minimal direct impact, though findings on global best practices for women's sports could inform U.S. positions in international athletic organizations like the Olympics.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Biological Female Athletes: Primary beneficiaries, as the report targets issues directly affecting their safety, opportunities, and experiences in sports.
• Sports Organizations and Schools: Entities governing women's athletics (e.g., high schools, colleges, national federations) may face scrutiny or need to adapt policies based on recommendations.
• State Governments: Their laws on sports participation and anti-harassment measures will be evaluated, potentially leading to calls for uniformity or stronger enforcement.
• Transgender Athletes and Advocacy Groups: Indirectly affected, as the report examines competition between biological males and females, which could influence debates on inclusion policies.
• Congress and Federal Agencies: Committees receiving the report may use it to shape future legislation, while the DOJ handles the reporting burden.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal Implications: The report could highlight gaps in enforcing laws like Title IX or the Violence Against Women Act (a federal law providing resources to combat domestic violence and sexual assault), potentially leading to targeted amendments. It emphasizes "biological" distinctions, which may intersect with ongoing court cases on sex-based classifications in sports.
• Constitutional Implications: Raises questions under the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment (which requires equal treatment under the law) regarding fair competition and discrimination based on sex or gender identity. No direct constitutional challenges are created, but recommendations might prompt litigation if they advocate restrictive policies.
• Political Implications: As a bipartisan bill introduced by senators from one party, it reflects partisan divides on gender and sports issues, particularly transgender rights. The report's findings could fuel debates in Congress, influencing election-year discussions on women's rights and equity in athletics without imposing immediate mandates.

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

Sponsor

Sen. Blackburn, Marsha [R-TN]

Cosponsors (10)

Sen. Risch, James E. [R-ID], Sen. Wicker, Roger F. [R-MS], Sen. Crapo, Mike [R-ID], Sen. Ernst, Joni [R-IA], Sen. Capito, Shelley Moore [R-WV], Sen. Sheehy, Tim [R-MT], Sen. Tuberville, Tommy [R-AL], Sen. Daines, Steve [R-MT], Sen. Fischer, Deb [R-NE], Sen. Cassidy, Bill [R-LA]

Recent Actions

• 2025-01-13: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
• 2025-01-13: Introduced in Senate

Bill Versions

• Fair Play for Girls Act — issued 2025-01-13 — PDF (3 pages)