Relating to student participation in interscholastic or intramural athletic teams or sports based on biological sex

This bill requires that interscholastic or intramural athletic teams or sports that are sponsored by an educational institution be expressly designated based on the biological sex of the participating students. The possible designations are males, men, or boys; females, women, or girls; and coed or mixed. Students of the male sex shall be ineligible to participate in athletic teams or sports designated for females, women, or girls, notwithstanding a provision of the Iowa civil rights Act of 1965. The bill defines “educational institution” as a public or accredited nonpublic school, regents institution, community college, or any other institution of higher education that is a member of the national collegiate athletic association, national association of intercollegiate athletics, or national junior college athletic association. If the biological sex of a student is disputed, the bill authorizes the student to establish the student’s sex by presenting a signed statement by a licensed physician that indicates the student’s sex based solely upon the student’s internal and external reproductive anatomy, the student’s normal, endogenously produced levels of testosterone, and an analysis of the student’s genetic makeup. The bill prohibits a government entity, licensing or accrediting organization, or athletic association or organization from considering a complaint, opening an investigation, or taking any other adverse action against an educational institution for maintaining separate interscholastic or intramural athletic teams or sports for students of the female sex, notwithstanding a provision of the Iowa civil rights Act of 1965. The bill provides for private causes of action for students and educational institutions relating to violations of the bill. A civil action must be initiated within two years after a violation of the bill has occurred. A person who prevails in such an action shall be entitled to monetary damages, including for any psychological, emotional, and physical harm suffered, if applicable, reasonable attorney fees, and any other appropriate relief. The bill contains severability provisions. The bill shall be known and may be cited as the “save women’s sports Act”.