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Minnesota House tables bill to restrict girls' sports to biological females (House File 12)
Summary
The Minnesota House debated House File 12 on Feb. 20, 2025, a bill that would define “female” in statute and restrict girls-only scholastic athletic teams to biological females, then laid the bill on the table after close roll-call votes and a motion to reconsider.
ST. PAUL, Minn. — The Minnesota House debated House File 12, a bill that would define “female” in statute and limit girls-only school sports to biological females, before ultimately laying the bill on the table on Feb. 20, 2025.
The measure, carried by Representative Scott, prompted hours of floor debate that drew parents, coaches and fellow legislators into a broader argument about fairness, safety and civil rights in school sports. Supporters said the bill protects girls’ opportunities; opponents said it would stigmatize and endanger transgender, nonbinary and Two-Spirit youth and could invite invasive enforcement.
House File 12 would add a statutory definition for “female” to Minnesota law and direct athletic programs and schools to limit certain teams and competitions accordingly. Representative Scott told the House the bill was intended to “protect and preserve girls sports teams for only girls” and cited Minnesota Statutes chapter 121A and earlier Title IX–style protections as the basis for the legislation.
Opponents repeatedly raised concerns about how the law would be enforced and the risks to students’ privacy and safety.…
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