The Pennsylvania Senate passed it by a 30-17 vote SB 1293 which provides for the clear designation of sports activities in public higher education institutions and public schools as male, female or coeducational; and creating a cause of action for damages suffered as a result of the designation.
The bill, sponsored by Senator Judy Ward (R-Blair/Fulton/Huntingdon/Juniata/Mifflin) would require public schools and colleges to designate sports teams as male, female or coeducational. Regulations state that only biological women can join women’s teams. The bill would also allow students to take legal action if they are harmed by violating this rule.
The legislation defines “sex” as “the immutable characteristics of a person’s reproductive system that define that person as male or female, in accordance with the anatomy and genetics existing at birth.”
“Simply put, it’s about biological sex,” Ward said. “Sports have always been separated by biological sex, not gender identity, and this bill maintains that long-standing standard.
“Title IX was created to expand opportunities for female athletes. Allowing biological males to compete in women’s sports puts those opportunities at risk. Scholarships, recognition and the chance to compete fairly can change the lives of our young women,” she continued. “This bill seeks to preserve those opportunities.”
Senate President pro tempore Kim Ward (R-Westmoreland) said the bipartisan support the bill has received shows how critical it is.
“The bipartisan nature of this vote sends a clear message to the House of Representatives that both Republicans and Democrats agree it is time for Pennsylvania to put female athletes first across the commonwealth and leave performative politics on the sidelines while ensuring fair, secure and equal opportunities for female athletes.
Four Democrats joined 26 Republicans who voted “yes” – Sense. Lisa Boscola (D-Lehigh/Northampton), Nick Miller (D-Lehigh/Northampton), Marty Flynn (D-Lackawanna/Luzerna) i Christina Tartaglione (D-Philadelphia).
Three senators did not vote due to holiday leave – Sense. Tracy Pennycuick (R-Berks/Montgomery), James Malone (D-Lancaster) i Patty Kim (D-Dauphin).
Sen. Lindsay Williams (D-Allegheny) called the bill “cruel.”
As a three-sport athlete, she said that playing sports “gave me confidence, time management skills, and the ability to collaborate. That’s what ultimately led me to run for office.”
“Absolutely nothing about having a transgender teammate or competitor would take those things away from me. This bill seeks to abuse children who already face ridicule, isolation and fear every day for who they are.”
Williams also criticized the body for failing to focus on the real issues of the day.
“Right now, Pennsylvania families are choosing between buying groceries or filling up the gas tank to get to work. And we’re spending the eighth time voting on a bill designed to abuse kids who just want to play football with their friends.”
Republican His. Kristin Phillips-Hill (R-York) said that as an athlete, she didn’t expect everything to be handed to her, but she expected the competition to be fair.
“That the outcome would be determined by the results, not by a policy change or definition. That’s what made it make sense. That’s what young women across Pennsylvania deserve today.”
Senator Sharif Street (Philadelphia) said there is no “epidemic of transgender children taking away opportunities for anyone. But we do have a crisis.”
“According to Trevor’s projectstates that as a result of the adoption of anti-transgender laws targeting minors, the number of suicide attempts committed by transgender people and gender non-conforming teenagers increased by as much as 702% in the following years. They believe society is telling them not to exist.”
“Every young person in Pennsylvania deserves the opportunity to grow, play and be included in teams and communities. Transgender girls are no exception,” said ACLU-PA senior organizer Naiymah Sanchez. “Their inclusion strengthens our athletic programs and benefits every girl who steps on the field or in the gym. The conversation we need to be having is improving the health and well-being of our youth and providing more funding for girls’ sports to ensure all student-athletes have what they need to thrive.”
The legislation is similar to Senate bill 9which passed the Senate in May 2025 with bipartisan support. Since then, the SB 9 session has been delayed by the House of Representatives in four different committees.
Senate Majority Leader Joe Pittman (R-Armstrong/Indiana/Jefferson/Westmoreland) urged House Democrats to continue working on the bill, citing recent decision of the International Olympic Committee.
“If the international community protects our female athletes well enough and supports equality in competition, it should be enough for the Commonwealth to do the same,” Pittman said.
“I would suggest that if the House introduced the bill and tabled amendments, we would be happy to have productive conversations if there are elements of the bill that need to be addressed.”
