WPBN: It is the goal of the legislative body in Indiana to go above and above in their efforts to ensure that biological male athletes continue to participate in sports geared at boys and men.
The rule that is currently in effect in the state, which was approved in 2022, makes it illegal for individuals who were born male at birth to compete against girls from kindergarten all the way through high school. A bill that would extend the prohibition to include college teams was introduced by Republican representatives Michelle Davis, Chris Jeter, Joanna King, and Robert Heaton this week.
“To ensure a level playing field, it’s important that girls compete against girls, and boys against boys,” Davis wrote in a statement. “As a mother and legislator, I authored this bill because I’ve heard directly from Hoosier parents who want to ensure female athletes have a fair shot at competing and earning recognition.”
The National Collegiate Athletic Association’s headquarters are situated in Indianapolis, which is also the state capital.
Additionally, the rule would mandate that out-of-state teams who have a transgender athlete must provide their opponent’s Indiana school with notice of the athlete at least sixty days in advance.
If an athlete believes that they were denied a chance or that they were wounded as a result of a possible breach of the law, they will also have the ability to initiate a lawsuit against their institution.
Jeter, who is also a co-author on the measure, stated that the purpose of the legislation is to “protect women’s sports in Indiana.”
It has been almost three years since Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb exercised his veto power over the first law; however, the Indiana General Assembly has overturned that decision.
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By the end of this month, Holcomb, a Republican, will step down from his position owing to term restrictions, and fellow Republican Mike Braun will take over as his successor.
In a decision that was handed down by a federal judge in the state two months after Holcomb’s rejection of the bill, it was determined that a transgender kid must be let to use the restroom that is reserved for boys at a middle school in the state.
Charlie Baker, the president of the NCAA, addressed a statement last month to female collegiate athletes who feel uneasy using locker rooms with transgender athletes, emphasizing that it is the women’s responsibility to ensure their own safety.
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Baker was asked on the NCAA’s policies permitting trans athletes to play on women’s teams by Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., at a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on legalized sports gambling. As per the NCAA guideline, “transgender student athletes should be able to use the locker room, shower and toilet facilities in accordance with their gender identity.” Hawley approached Baker about this policy.
In response, Baker, a former Republican governor of Massachusetts, stated that other athletes should be free to find alternative lodgings if they disagree.
Transgender volleyball player Blaire Fleming led San Jose State University to the Mountain West championship match, sparking a national controversy inside the NCAA.
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