Georgia House approves bill limiting participation in women’s sports, setting restroom and overnight rules

The Georgia House of Representatives on Feb. 27 passed House Bill 267, commonly called the Riley Gaines Act, 102–54, after extended debate over protections for female athletes, restroom and locker-room policies, and how the state defines sex in law.

Supporters said the legislation protects fairness and safety in girls’ and women’s athletics and preserves private facilities; opponents called it discriminatory against transgender and intersex people and warned it would harm vulnerable students and invite litigation.

Representative Philip M. Bonner, sponsor and chairman who presented the bill, said the measure "recognizes the biological differences between male and female" and seeks to protect women's competitive opportunities, privacy and safety. He told colleagues the bill codifies policies already used by some athletic associations and clarifies school obligations on separate restrooms, changing areas and overnight housing for athletic events.

Supporters at the well argued the bill will preserve athletic scholarships and physical safety. Representative Ginny Earhart said allowing biological males to compete in women's events would "negate" years of training by female athletes and could reduce opportunities and scholarships for women.

Opponents called the bill punitive and broad. Representative Shea Erwin and other critics said HB 267 reaches far beyond sports to alter definitions across state code and could strip civil protections from transgender Georgians. Representative Park Cannon described the measure as "not about fairness" but about discrimination and warned that mandated distinctions would harm students who are transgender or intersex.

Debate followed the rules committee format adopted for the bill: 30 minutes allocated to proponents and 30 minutes to opponents, plus a 20-minute minority report and 20 minutes for the sponsor. Lawmakers on both sides described personal and community examples in extended remarks.

The bill requires that K–12 schools and postsecondary institutions designate athletic teams as male, female or coed and prohibits an individual designated male at birth from competing on a female team if doing so would reduce roster spots or scholarships for females. It also requires separate restroom and changing areas for males and females at athletic events, with single-occupancy alternatives required for individuals who object for privacy reasons; limited exceptions cover emergencies, maintenance, or a parent assisting a minor.

Sponsors said the Professional Standards Commission will handle enforcement for K–12 employees and that the bill aligns state code with some existing association rules. Critics said the enforcement language is vague and could subject teachers and administrators to burdensome grievances.

The House voted 102 in favor and 54 opposed. After the vote, the clerk announced the bill "has received the requisite constitutional majority" and was passed. The bill now moves to the Senate for consideration.

What’s next: If the Senate considers the bill, it may be amended or face legal challenges; opponents noted a recent out-of-state court decision striking down similar legislation, and supporters said they expect to defend the measure as protecting fairness in women's sports.