WHAT THE LAW DOINCongress, in plain words

S. 405 · 119th Congress

Protection of Women in Olympic and Amateur Sports Act

IntroducedSports and Recreation
IntroducedFeb 5, 2025
Passed SenateNot yet
Passed HouseNot yet
To PresidentNot yet
Became lawNot yet

Where it stands

Introduced. Latest step, Feb 5, 2025: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. It would change 2 sections of existing law.

How this bill changes the law

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S. 405 would change 2 sections of existing law. Read from the bill text as introduced in the Senate (Feb 5, 2025).

36 U.S.C. 220501 Short title and definitions

  • (b) Definitions.—For purposes of this chapter— added to · Sec. 2(a) · see the words

36 U.S.C. 220522 Eligibility requirements

  • (18) commits to meeting any minimum standard or requirement set forth by the… changed · Sec. 2(b) · see the words
  • (19) provides protection from retaliation to protected individuals. changed · Sec. 2(b) · see the words
  • (20) new · Sec. 2(b) · see the words
What the words would change: every change, in place (4)

Today's wording of each part of the law, with what would be struck out and added. Each change also gives the bill's own instruction, word for word.

  1. 36 U.S.C. 220501(b)added (13)by S. 405 Sec. 2(a)

    (13) female means an individual who has, had, will have—or would have, but for a developmental or genetic anomaly or historical accident—the reproductive system that at some point produces, transports, and utilizes eggs for fertilization.(14) male means an individual who has, had, will have—or would have, but for a developmental or genetic anomaly or historical accident—the reproductive system that at some point produces, transports, and utilizes sperm for fertilization.(15) sex means an individual’s biological sex, either male or female.

    The bill says: Section 220501(b) of title 36, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

  2. 36 U.S.C. 220522(18)changedby S. 405 Sec. 2(b)

    (18) commits to meeting any minimum standard or requirement set forth by the corporation; and

    The bill says: in paragraph (18), by striking "and" at the end;

  3. 36 U.S.C. 220522(19)changedby S. 405 Sec. 2(b)

    The bill says: in paragraph (19), by striking the period and inserting "; and"; and

  4. 36 U.S.C. 220522added (20)by S. 405 Sec. 2(b)

    (20) prohibits a person whose sex is male from participating in an amateur athletic competition that is designated for females, women, or girls.

    The bill says: by adding at the end the following:

From the bill's official text on GovInfo and the U.S. Code, 2024 edition, which may not yet show changes made since.

What it does

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Protection of Women in Olympic and Amateur Sports Act

This bill requires certified national governing bodies (NGBs) of amateur sports (e.g., USA Gymnastics) to prohibit a person whose sex is male from participating in an amateur athletic competition that is designated for females, women, or girls.

Under the bill, male means an individual who has, had, will have—or would have, but for a developmental or genetic anomaly or historical accident—the reproductive system that at some point produces, transports, and utilizes sperm for fertilization.

Official summary by the Congressional Research Service (Introduced in Senate, Feb 5, 2025).

Our plain-language breakdown, with what it means for you and the case for and against, is written once a bill starts to move.

What has happened

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  1. Feb 5, 2025Introduced in SenateLibrary of Congress

Show all 2 recorded actions

Cosponsors

  • Jim Banks R-IN
  • Shelley Moore Capito R-WV
  • Kevin Cramer R-ND
  • Steve Daines R-MT
  • Darline Graham R-SC
  • James C. Justice R-WV
  • Mike Lee R-UT
  • Rick Scott R-FL