HB 1123

AN ACT relating to interscholastic athletic competition based on

House Bill Lopez, Janie | Leo Wilson
Filed

Filed

Bill introduced by legislator

Committee

Hearing

Passed Cmte

Calendar

Passed

Sent

Enrolled

Governor

Signed

89th Regular Session

Jan 14, 2025 - Jun 2, 2025 • Session ended

Awaiting Committee Assignment

Bill filed, pending referral to House committee

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What This Bill Does

This Texas bill requires students to compete in interscholastic athletic competitions based solely on their biological sex as stated on their original birth certificate, prohibiting participation in sports teams that do not match their birth-assigned sex. The bill mandates that licensed physicians conducting physical examinations must verify chromosomal sex and refer students for genetic testing if there are suspected discrepancies, effectively preventing transgender students from competing in sports teams that do not align with their sex assigned at birth. The legislation applies to all public school districts and open-enrollment charter schools starting in the 2025-2026 school year, with the University Interscholastic League responsible for implementing and enforcing the new rules.

Subject Areas

Bill Text

relating to interscholastic athletic competition based on
biological sex, requirements for physical examinations and genetic
testing in interscholastic athletics, and the adoption of rules by
the University Interscholastic League to implement these
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1.  Subchapter D, Chapter 33, Education Code,
Section 33.0834 is amended to read as follows:
Sec. 33.0834.  INTERSCHOLASTIC ATHLETIC COMPETITION BASED
ON BIOLOGICAL SEX.  (a)  Except as provided by Subsection (c) [(b)],
an interscholastic athletic team sponsored or authorized by a
school district or open-enrollment charter school may not allow a
student to compete in an interscholastic athletic competition
sponsored or authorized by the district or school that is
designated for the biological sex opposite to the student's
biological sex as correctly stated on:
(1)  the student's official birth certificate, as
described by Subsection (d) [(c)]; or
(2)  if the student's official birth certificate
described by Subdivision (1) is unobtainable, another government
(b)  A student may not compete in an interscholastic athletic
competition designated for a particular biological sex if the
student's chromosomal sex does not match the biological sex
assigned at birth as described in subsection (a).  This
determination shall be made based on clinical evidence, including
genetic testing results provided by a licensed medical professional
(c) [(b)]  An interscholastic athletic team described by
Subsection (a) may allow a female student to compete in an
interscholastic athletic competition that is designated for male
students if a corresponding interscholastic athletic competition
designated for female students is not offered or available.
(d) [(c)]  For purposes of this section, a statement of a
student's biological sex on the student's official birth
certificate is considered to have correctly stated the student's
biological sex only if the statement was:
(1)  entered at or near the time of the student's birth;
(2)  modified to correct any type of scrivener or
clerical error in the student's biological sex.
(e) [(d)]  The University Interscholastic League shall adopt
rules to implement this section, provided that the rules must be
approved by the commissioner in accordance with Section 33.083(b).
The rules must ensure compliance with state and federal law
regarding the confidentiality of student medical information,
including Chapter 181, Health and Safety Code, and the Health
Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (42 U.S.C.
SECTION 2.  Subchapter D, Chapter 33, Education Code, is
amended by adding Section 33.098 to read as follows:
Sec. 33.098.  REQUIREMENTS FOR PHYSICAL EXAMINATIONS AND
GENETIC TESTING IN INTERSCHOLASTIC ATHLETICS.  (a)  A licensed
physician conducting a physical examination for a student seeking
to participate in an interscholastic athletic activity must not
approve the Physical Examination Form if the licensed physician,
based on their expertise, reasonably suspects that the student's
chromosomal makeup is inconsistent with the biological sex assigned
(b)  If a licensed physician suspects a student has
chromosomal characteristics that are different from the biological
sex assigned at birth, the licensed physician must refer the
student for genetic testing to confirm the student's chromosomal
(c)  The University Interscholastic League (UIL) shall adopt
rules as necessary to administer this chapter.  These rules must
include procedures for ensuring that physical examinations are
conducted properly, including provisions for addressing cases
where a physician suspects a discrepancy between a student's
assigned sex at birth and their chromosomal sex.
(e)  This chapter does not create a cause of action or
liability, nor does it establish a standard of care, obligation, or
duty that provides a basis for a cause of action or liability
against any licensed health care professional, the University
Interscholastic League, a school district, or any district officer
or employee for an injury or death of a student participating in or
practicing for an athletic activity sponsored or sanctioned by the
University Interscholastic League based on or in connection with
the administration or interpretation of this section.
SECTION 3.  This Act applies beginning with the 2025-2026
SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect on the 60th day after the last day of the

Bill History

filed

Bill filed: AN ACT relating to interscholastic athletic competition based on