HARRISBURG – The Senate has approved legislation to protect the safety and opportunities of female athletes by requiring scholastic sports teams to be designated based on biological sex, Sen. Pat Stefano (R-32) said today.
Senate Bill 1293 would require public schools and colleges to label sports teams as male, female or coed. The legislation states only biological females can join teams designated for women. The bill would also allow students to take legal action if they are harmed by violations of this rule.
Since 2020 in Pennsylvania, men have taken first place from female athletes 87 times and took second or third place 64 times. Numerous instances have also been documented nationwide of biological male competitors causing catastrophic injuries to female athletes.
“Female athletes deserve a level playing field where their talent and hard work is recognized and awarded fairly,” Stefano said. “For decades, Title IX has helped expand opportunities for women and girls in sports, and this legislation ensures those opportunities are protected. It’s about making sure scholarships, roster spots and championships are earned through fair competition, not focusing on the broader issues of identity. At the end of the day, this bill provides clear, consistent standards across Pennsylvania, while keeping the focus on fairness, safety and preserving the integrity of women’s athletics.”
To view Stefano’s full remarks, click here.
The legislation is similar to Senate Bill 9, which was passed by the Senate in May 2025 with bipartisan support. Since then, Senate Bill 9 has been delayed by procedural maneuvers by Democrat leaders in the House of Representatives, leaving young female athletes at risk.
According to the American College of Sports Medicine, males, on average, have larger hearts, more muscle mass, less percentage body fat and use energy more efficiently. This means for athletic events relying on endurance, strength, speed and power, males usually outperform females by 10–30% depending on the sport.
Recently, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) enacted new policy guidelines ensuring that all sporting events under their jurisdiction for any female category are limited to biological females only. Additionally, the IOC provided that after scientific review, they determined a sex-based eligibility rule is necessary and adequate to the attainment of their goals for competition.
The legislation will be sent to the House of Representatives, where action is urged.
Contact: Amanda Cuteri, 717-787-7175