MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2020 Regular Session
To: Judiciary A
By: Representatives Hobgood-Wilkes, Brown (20th), Carpenter, Crawford, Hopkins, Ladner, Shanks, Tullos
AN ACT TO CREATE "THE FAIRNESS ACT" FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROHIBITING NONBIOLOGICAL MALES FROM PARTICIPATING IN ATHLETIC SPORTS AND CERTAIN OTHER ACTIVITIES SPECIFICALLY DESIGNATED FOR FEMALES AT PUBLIC PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS, STATE INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING AND PUBLIC COMMUNITY OR JUNIOR COLLEGES; TO AFFORD CERTAIN PROTECTIONS TO THOSE EDUCATIONAL ENTITIES FOR MAINTAINING SEPARATE INTERSCHOLASTIC OR INTRAMURAL ATHLETIC TEAMS OR SPORTS FOR STUDENTS OF THE FEMALE SEX; TO ESTABLISH ENFORCEABLE CAUSES OF ACTIONS FOR VIOLATIONS OF THIS ACT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:
SECTION 1. This chapter shall be known and maybe cited as "The Fairness Act."
SECTION 2. Legislative findings and purpose.
(1) The Legislature finds that there are "'inherent differences' between men and women," and that these differences "remain cause for celebration, but not for denigration of the members of either sex or for artificial constraints on an individual's opportunity." (United States v. Virginia, 518 U.S. 515, 533 (1996)).
(2) These "inherent differences" range from chromosomal and hormonal differences to physiological differences.
(3) The biological differences between females and males, especially as it relates to natural levels of testosterone, explain the male and female secondary sex characteristics which develop during puberty and have lifelong effects, including those most important for success in sports, which are evidenced in categorically different strength, speed and endurance.
(4) While classifications based on sex are generally disfavored, the United States Supreme Court has recognized that "sex classifications may be used to compensate women for particular economic disabilities they have suffered, to promote equal employment opportunity, and to advance full development of the talent and capacities of our nation's people." (United States v. Virginia, 518 U.S. 515, 533 (1996)).
(5) Courts have recognized that the inherent, physiological differences between males and females result in different athletic capabilities. (Kleczek v. Rhode Island Interscholastic League, Inc., 612 A.2d 734, 738 (R.I. 1992)). "Because of innate physiological differences, boys and girls are not similarly situated as they enter athletic competition." (Petrie v. Ill. High Sch. Ass'n, 394 N.E.2d 855, 861 (Ill. App. Ct. 1979), noting that "high school boys generally possess physiological advantages over their girl counterparts" and that those advantages give them an unfair lead over girls in some sports like "high school track").
(6) A recent study of female and male Olympic performances since 1983 found that, although athletes from both sexes improved over the time span, the "gender gap" between female and male performances remained stable. "These suggest that women's performances at the high level will never match those of men." Women and Men in Sport Performance. ("The Gender Gap Has Not Evolved Since 1983," 9 Journal of Sports Science and Medicine 214, 219 (2010)).
(7) "The evidence is unequivocal that starting in puberty, in every sport except sailing, shooting and riding, there will always be significant numbers of boys and men who would beat the best girls and women in head-to-head competition. Claims to the contrary are simply a denial of science." ("Pass the Equality Act, But Don't Abandon Title IX," Washington Post (Apr. 29, 2019)).
(8) The benefits that natural testosterone provides to male athletes is not diminished through the use of puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones. A recent study on the impact of such treatments found that even "after twelve (12) months of hormonal therapy," a man who identifies as a woman and is taking cross-sex hormones "had an absolute advantage" over female athletes and "will still likely have performance benefits" over women. ("Muscle Strength, Size and Composition Following 12 Months of Gender-Affirming Treatment in Transgender Individuals: Retained Advantage for the Transwomen," Karolinska Institute, (Sept. 26, 2019)).
(9) Having separate sex-specific teams furthers efforts to promote sex equality. Sex-specific teams accomplish this by providing opportunities for female athletes to demonstrate their skill, strength and athletic abilities while also providing them with opportunities to obtain recognition and accolades, college scholarships, and the numerous other long-term benefits that flow from success in athletic endeavors.
SECTION 3. Designation of athletic teams.
(1) Interscholastic or intramural athletic teams or sports that are sponsored by a public primary or secondary school or any school that is a member participant of the Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA) or state institution of higher learning or any public community or junior college that is a member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) or National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) shall be expressly designated as one (1) of the following based on biological sex:
(a) "Males," "men" or "boys";
(b) "Females," "women" or "girls"; or
(c) "Coed" or "mixed."
(2) Athletic teams or sports designated for "females," "women" or "girls" shall not be open to students of the male sex.
(3) If disputed, a student may establish his or her sex by presenting a signed physician's statement which shall indicate the student's sex based solely upon:
(a) The student's internal and external reproductive anatomy;
(b) The student's normal endogenously produced levels of testosterone; and
(c) An analysis of the student's genetic makeup.
SECTION 4. Protection for educational institutions.
A government entity, any licensing or accrediting organization, or any athletic association or organization shall not entertain a complaint, open an investigation, or take any other adverse action against a public primary or secondary school, state institution of higher learning or public community or junior college for maintaining separate interscholastic or intramural athletic teams or sports for students of the female sex.
SECTION 5. Cause of action.
(1) Any student who is deprived of an athletic opportunity or suffers any direct or indirect harm as a result of a violation of this act shall have a private cause of action for injunctive relief, damages and any other relief available under law against the public primary or secondary school, state institution of higher learning or public community or junior college.
(2) Any student who is subject to retaliation or other
adverse action by a primary or secondary school, state institution of higher learning, public community or junior college, or athletic association or organization as a result of reporting a violation of this act to an employee or representative of the school, institution of higher learning, community or junior college, or athletic association or organization, or to any state or federal agency with oversight of public primary or secondary schools, state institutions of higher learning or public community or junior colleges in the state shall have a private cause of action for injunctive relief, damages, and any other relief available under law against the school, institution of higher learning, community or junior college, or athletic association or organization.
(3) Any student whose bodily privacy is violated, including encountering a person of the opposite sex in a facility traditionally designated for the exclusive use of members of one (1) sex, by any action, policy or practice of a public primary or secondary school, state institution of higher learning or public community or junior college shall have a private cause of action for injunctive relief, damages, and any other relief available under law against the school or institution of higher learning or community or junior college.
(4) Any public primary or secondary school, state institution of higher learning or public community or junior college that suffers any direct or indirect harm as a result of a violation of this act shall have a private cause of action for injunctive relief, damages, and any other relief available under law against the government entity, licensing or accrediting organization or athletic association or organization.
(5) All civil actions must be initiated within two (2) years after the harm occurred. Persons or organizations who prevail on a claim brought pursuant to this section shall be entitled to monetary damages, including for any psychological, emotional and physical harm suffered, reasonable attorney's fees and costs and any other appropriate relief.
SECTION 6. Severability.
If any provision of this law or its application is held invalid, the invalidity does not affect other provisions or applications of this law which can be given effect without the invalid provision or application and to this end the provisions of this law are severable.
SECTION 7. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2020.