Federal

Safety and Opportunity for Girls Act of 2023

Source: Congress.gov · 407 words in original text

What This Bill Does

This bill changes how Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (a federal education law about sex discrimination) defines the word "sex." The bill states that "sex" means a person's reproductive biology and genetics at birth. It also prevents the federal government from punishing schools that keep bathrooms, locker rooms, and sports programs separated by sex.

Who It Affects

Educational institutions (schools and colleges) that receive federal funding under Title IX are directly affected by this bill.

Key Provisions

• The bill defines "sex" as determined solely by a person's reproductive biology and genetics at birth (Sec. 2(d)(1)) • The bill defines "sex-segregated" as spaces or activities limited to or separated by sex (Sec. 2(d)(2)) • The federal government cannot prohibit schools from maintaining sex-segregated bathrooms and locker rooms, and cannot tie federal funding to schools giving up these spaces (Sec. 2(e)(1)) • The federal government cannot prohibit schools from maintaining sex-segregated athletic or academic programs, and cannot tie federal funding to schools giving up these programs (Sec. 2(e)(2))

What Changes

If this becomes law, schools can maintain sex-segregated spaces and programs without risking federal funding. The federal government's ability to enforce different definitions of "sex" under Title IX would be restricted.

Important Definitions

• "Sex" means sex determined solely by a person's reproductive biology and genetics at birth • "Sex-segregated" means limited to or separated by sex

Effective Date

Not specified in bill text

I 118TH CONGRESS 1ST SESSION H. R. 935 To clarify protections related to sex and sex-segregated spaces and to activities under title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES FEBRUARY 9, 2023 Mrs. MILLER of Illinois (for herself, Mr. DUNCAN, Mr. BANKS, Mr. CLYDE, Mrs. BOEBERT, Mr. ROSENDALE, Ms. GREENE of Georgia, Mr. GOOD of Virginia, Mr. BISHOP of North Carolina, Mr. LAMALFA, Mr. GROTHMAN, Mr. TIFFANY, Mr. DONALDS, Mr. JACKSON of Texas, Mr. LAMBORN, and Mr. GOSAR) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Com- mittee on Education and the Workforce A BILL To clarify protections related to sex and sex-segregated spaces and to activities under title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa- 1 tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 2 SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 3 This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Safety and Oppor- 4 tunity for Girls Act of 2023’’. 5 VerDate Sep 11 2014 07:24 Mar 02, 2023 Jkt 039200 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\H935.IH H935 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS 2 •HR 935 IH SEC. 2. AMENDMENT TO TITLE IX OF THE EDUCATION 1 AMENDMENTS OF 1972. 2 Section 901 of title IX of the Education Amendments 3 of 1972 (20 U.S.C. 1681) is amended by adding at end 4 the following: 5 ‘‘(d) For purposes of this title— 6 ‘‘(1) the term ‘sex’ means sex determined solely 7 by a person’s reproductive biology and genetics at 8 birth; and 9 ‘‘(2) the term ‘sex-segregated’ means limited to 10 or separated by sex. 11 ‘‘(e) Nothing in this title may be construed— 12 ‘‘(1) to prohibit, to authorize the Secretary to 13 prohibit, or to authorize the Secretary to make re- 14 ceipt of funding under this title contingent upon an 15 educational institution forgoing the maintenance of 16 sex-segregated spaces by educational institutions, in- 17 cluding bathrooms and locker rooms; or 18 ‘‘(2) to prohibit, to authorize the Secretary to 19 prohibit, or to authorize the Secretary to make re- 20 ceipt of funding under this title contingent upon an 21 educational institution forgoing the maintenance of 22 sex-segregated athletic or academic programs by 23 educational institutions.’’. 24 Æ VerDate Sep 11 2014 07:24 Mar 02, 2023 Jkt 039200 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6301 E:\BILLS\H935.IH H935 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS

Important: This plain English summary was generated by AI and is provided for informational purposes only. It is not legal advice. Always consult the official bill text on Congress.gov or a qualified attorney for legal matters.