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Sponsor says bill to limit JV/varsity girls' sports to biological females protects fairness and safety; supporters and critics testified
Summary
Delegate Kathy Shaliga presented HB 156 to limit high school JV and varsity girls' sports to biological females; sponsor cited polls and safety anecdotes while critics (not present in hearing testimony) were implied; committee received repeated personal accounts and national examples.
Delegate Kathy Shaliga told the Ways and Means Committee she is reintroducing HB 156 to limit junior varsity and varsity girls' sports to biological females. Shaliga said the bill is "simple" and argued it protects fairness and safety in competition.
The sponsor cited polling and anecdotal examples to support her position and described injuries and competitive concerns. "By allowing males into female sports, we're actually discriminating against biological girls," she said, and recounted testimony submitted by athletes who described injuries, scholarship impacts and record disputes.
Shaliga and her supporters argued the bill is not intended to ban participation in all sports or recreation, but to ensure a level playing field at competitive varsity and JV levels. She referenced Title IX as part of the historical context for girls' sports opportunities and said Maryland ranks low in girls' sports participation.
No formal opponents appeared at the hearing, but committee members did not take action on the bill during the session. The sponsor said she would accept questions and noted interest across partisan lines, describing the issue as "apolitical" for some supporters.
Ending: The committee heard a long sponsor statement and several anecdotal accounts and did not vote. The bill is likely to draw additional testimony at future hearings.
