Texas HB 179: Relating to the separation based on biological sex of athletics teams sponsored by a public school or institution of higher education.

Bill Text

By:AASwanson H.B.ANo.A179
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the separation based on biological sex of athletics
teams sponsored by a public school or institution of higher
education.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTIONA1.AASubchapter D, Chapter 33, Education Code, is
amended by adding Section 33.0815 to read as follows:
Sec.A33.0815.AASEPARATION OF ATHLETICS TEAMS BASED ON
BIOLOGICAL SEX. (a) Each interscholastic, intramural, or other
extracurricular athletic team sponsored by a school district or
open-enrollment charter school shall be designated for
participation by:
(1)AAonly students of the same biological sex; or
(2)AAstudents of both biological sexes.
(b)AAA biologically male student may not participate in an
athletic team described by Subsection (a) that is designated for
participation by only biologically female students.
(c)AAThe University Interscholastic League, a state agency,
or a political subdivision of the state may not take adverse action
against a school district or open-enrollment charter school for
complying with this section.
(d)AAA student may bring an action for relief as provided by
Subsection (f) if the student is:
(1)AAdeprived of an athletic opportunity or suffers
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harm as a result of a violation of this section by a school district
or open-enrollment charter school; or
(2)AAsubject to retaliation or other adverse action by
a school district or open-enrollment charter school or the
University Interscholastic League as a result of reporting a
violation of this section.
(e)AAA school district or open-enrollment charter school may
bring an action for relief as provided by Subsection (f) if the
district or school suffers harm as a result of a violation of this
section by the University Interscholastic League, a state agency,
or a political subdivision of the state.
(f)AAA student, school district, or open-enrollment charter
school that brings an action for relief under this section may
receive:
(1)AAinjunctive relief to compel the applicable entity
to comply with this section;
(2)AAcompensatory damages; and
(3)AAcourt costs and reasonable attorney’s fees.
(g)AAAn action under this section must be brought not later
than two years after the date on which the conduct giving rise to
the action is alleged to have occurred.
SECTIONA2.AASubchapter Z, Chapter 51, Education Code, is
amended by adding Section 51.980 to read as follows:
Sec.A51.980.AASEPARATION OF ATHLETICS TEAMS BASED ON
BIOLOGICAL SEX. (a) In this section, "institution of higher
education" has the meaning assigned by Section 61.003.
(b)AAEach interscholastic, intramural, or other
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extracurricular athletic team sponsored by an institution of higher
education shall be designated for participation by:
(1)AAonly students of the same biological sex; or
(2)AAstudents of both biological sexes.
(c)AAA biologically male student may not participate in an
athletic team described by Subsection (b) that is designated for
participation by only biologically female students.
(d)AAA state agency or political subdivision of the state may
not take adverse action against an institution of higher education
for complying with this section.
(e)AAA student may bring an action for relief as provided by
Subsection (g) if the student is:
(1)AAdeprived of an athletic opportunity or suffers
harm as a result of a violation of this section by an institution of
higher education; or
(2)AAsubject to retaliation or other adverse action by
an institution of higher education as a result of reporting a
violation of this section.
(f)AAAn institution of higher education may bring an action
for relief as provided by Subsection (g) if the institution suffers
harm as a result of a violation of this section by a state agency or
political subdivision of the state.
(g)AAA student or institution of higher education that brings
an action for relief under this section may receive:
(1)AAinjunctive relief to compel the applicable entity
to comply with this section;
(2)AAcompensatory damages; and
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(3)AAcourt costs and reasonable attorney’s fees.
(h)AAAn action under this section must be brought not later
than two years after the date on which the conduct giving rise to
the action is alleged to have occurred.
SECTIONA3.AA(a) Section 33.0815, Education Code, as added by
this Act, applies beginning with the 2021-2022 school year.
(b)AASection 51.980, Education Code, as added by this Act,
applies beginning with the 2021-2022 academic year.
SECTIONA4.AAThis Act takes effect immediately if it receives
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act