Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signs bill banning male college athletes from competing in women's sports

Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed legislation into law that prevents collegiate-level athletes from competing in sports categories that do not match their biological sex.

Texas Senate Bill 15, also known as the "Save Women's Sports Act," requires athletes to compete in gendered competitions based on what is on their birth certificate.

"An intercollegiate athletic team sponsored or authorized by an institution of higher education may not allow: (1) a student to compete on the team in an intercollegiate athletic competition sponsored or authorized by the institution that is designated for the biological sex opposite to the student's biological sex," the final version of the bill read.

The bill also does not allow "a male student to compete on the team in a mixed-sex intercollegiate athletic competition sponsored or authorized by the institution in a position that is designated by rule or procedure for female students."

It still allows for a "female student to compete in an intercollegiate athletic competition that is designated for male students if a corresponding intercollegiate athletic competition designated for female students is not offered or available," however.

"Today is an important day for female athletes across the state of Texas, including little girls who aspire to one day compete in college sports," the governor reportedly said.

"Allowing biological men to compete against them threatens this pathway for young women to succeed," Abbott also said in a Twitter post.

Champion power lifter Jade Dickens and former NCAA champion swimmer Jeri Shanteau were present at the bill signing to support the governor. Abbott referred to transgender women and girls as "men" in his speech, according to Fox News.

"The Save Women’s Sports Act protects young women at Texas colleges and universities by prohibiting men from competing on a team or as an individual against them in college sports," Abbott added.

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, which oversees the state's post-secondary education, was assigned to draft and adopt rules to ensure schools comply with the new state laws. As well, the board must ensure existing federal laws that require confidentiality in regards to student health and medical information are properly followed.

The law becomes effective September 1, 2023, at the earliest.

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