PIERRE, S.D. (AP) – South Dakota lawmakers are set to debate a bill that would void an activities association policy allowing transgender students to request to play on the athletic team that matches their gender identity.
The legislation introduced Monday would require a student’s sex be determined by their birth certificate or a South Dakota High School Activities Association physical exam form.
Republican Sen. Jim Bolin, the sponsor, says the legislation is “all about fair competition.”
ACLU of South Dakota policy director Libby Skarin says the measure is another attempt to “single transgender students out for discrimination” in South Dakota.
Association Executive Director Dan Swartos says the group is reviewing the measure and will defend its current policy.
The bill would declare the 2015 policy void; similar bills failed in the 2015 and 2016 sessions.
