Minn. education committee hears hours of testimony on bill to limit girls' sports to biological females

The House Education Policy Committee on Feb. 19 heard hours of testimony on House File 12, a bill by Representative Scott that would require female-designated elementary and secondary school athletic teams to be limited to biological females.

The measure was amended by the committee's adoption of the DE10 amendment before public testimony and discussion; committee members approved minutes from the Feb. 18 meeting earlier in the session. The committee did not vote on final passage and recessed for caucus at the end of the day.

Supporters of HF 12 told the committee the change is needed to preserve girls' opportunities and safety in athletics. Renee Carlson, general counsel for True North Legal, invoked Title IX and Minnesota statute Chapter 121A, saying "girls' sports are a remarkable American success story in Minnesota and across the country" and arguing the Minnesota State High School League's policy has "erased girls from girls' sports." Dr. John Odom, a physician who covers adolescent athletes, testified, "I do think there is an unfair advantage there," citing strength and endurance as the primary areas of concern.

Several current and former female athletes, parents and coaches described lost opportunities and safety risks. Katie DeWitt, athletic director at Concordia Academy, said allowing male competitors on female-designated teams "would compromise the physical and emotional safety of the young women we are hoping to inspire." Multiple high-school athletes testified that competing against biological males would deny them achievements they had worked for.

Opponents of HF 12 said the bill would harm transgender students, create harassment risks, and raise legal and practical problems. Erin Meltzer, a trans athlete, said, "Trans girls deserve to compete," and described sports as a "safe haven" for many youth. Jess Braverman, legal director at Gender Justice, warned the bill would force invasive scrutiny, saying lawmakers should not "be asking kids whether they have internal reproductive system[s]."

State officials and medical witnesses also disagreed about the bill's effects and feasibility. Ado Shuni, director of government relations for the Minnesota Department of Education, said the agency supports "all students, including our transgender students," and told the committee, "This proposal does not do that." Several physicians testified in support of HF 12, describing biological sex distinctions and citing medical concerns; other health-care witnesses, including primary-care physicians who work with transgender youth, said the bill would be difficult and potentially harmful to implement.

Committee members pressed on implementation details, privacy and who would have authority to challenge a student's participation. Representative Hill asked who would collect and store medical data required to resolve a dispute; Representative Green and others pressed whether anyone could challenge a child as young as 5 and how schools or outside organizations would handle disputes. Proponents pointed to existing physicals and local-school decisionmaking; opponents said the proposal could force students into invasive medical examinations, raise HIPAA and privacy concerns, and invite harassment.

Representative Jordan submitted a DE6 amendment but did not move it in the session. The committee adopted the DE10 amendment by voice vote before testimony; the transcript records the amendment's adoption but does not show a final vote on HF 12.

The committee recessed for caucus without taking a final vote and said it would reconvene for further member discussion. No final action on HF 12 was recorded in the transcript provided.