Delaware Senate Education Committee Hears Hours of Testimony on ‘Fairness in Girls’ Sports’ Bill

DOVER — The Senate Education Committee heard more than two hours of testimony on Senate Bill 215 on Wednesday as proponents and opponents offered sharply contrasting views over whether K–12 athletic teams should be limited to students based on the sex listed on their birth certificate.

Senator Richardson, the bill’s sponsor, said SB 215 would require a student athlete to compete on teams “associated with a student's athletic biological [sex] as determined at or near birth,” using a birth certificate or other government record when available. He told the committee he brought the bill to preserve what he described as scholarship and playing-time opportunities for female athletes.

The hearing drew testimony from national and local witnesses, parents, school officials and advocacy groups. Nancy Hogshead, an Olympic gold‑medalist and founder of Champion Women, testified in favor of the bill and urged lawmakers to “please don't allow unverifiable belief in gender to take that away from us,” citing what she said were measurable male‑female performance gaps in athletics. Hogshead told the committee that her analysis of higher‑education Equity in Athletics Disclosure Act (EADA) data found wide disparities in women’s opportunities nationally and offered to provide additional, state‑specific numbers on request.

Several athletes and coaches described personal experiences they said illustrated harms from coed competition. Paula Scanlon, who said she swam for the University of Pennsylvania, described being required to change in the same locker room as a male teammate and said some teammates used stalls or family bathrooms to avoid exposure. Macy Petty, a former NCAA volleyball player and legislative strategist, said allowing males to compete on women’s teams “jeopardized every single one of us girls' safety and opportunity.”

Opponents, including parents, faith‑based groups, the ACLU of Delaware and educators, urged the committee to reject the bill. Norma Eckard, identified as a parent of a transgender child, said, “My child is not the problem,” and called the bill invasive and unnecessary for Delaware, where several witnesses and commenters said there are no documented instances of transgender girls competing in interscholastic sports. The ACLU’s policy and advocacy director said the measure could amount to unlawful discrimination and raise constitutional concerns.

Medical and mental‑health witnesses also gave differing views. Several speakers cited studies and organizational guidance in support of inclusion; others testified that physiological differences can persist and affect competitive outcomes. Testimony included repeated references to national examples and to litigation: a witness said similar laws have passed in 27 states and noted pending U.S. Supreme Court consideration.

Chair Senator Laura Sturgeon said she appreciated the range of views and highlighted several areas where members asked for more nuance — for example, whether the bill should be limited to older grades or include criteria such as duration of any medical transition steps. Sturgeon said she would not immediately circulate the bill for signatures and asked that all submitted written testimony and additional materials be copied for committee members; she indicated the measure could return to committee for further consideration after the March JFC break.

No committee vote was taken on SB 215 during the session. The chair said members will review the record and additional written submissions before deciding whether to advance the legislation.

The committee concluded the day's business and adjourned.