ST. PAUL – A plan that would prevent boys in Minnesota from playing in girls’ sports received a full House floor debate this week. State Representative Steve Jacob (R-Altura) voted yes on the bill.
“Girls should not be forced to play against boys in female athletics,” Jacob said. “This is not a bill to stop kids from playing sports, but it is a bill that will ensure fairness and safety for girls who want to play in girls’ athletic events.”
Specifically, the House bill states that only students of the female sex (as assigned at birth) may participate in an elementary or secondary school athletic team or sport that an educational institution has restricted on the basis of sex to women or girls. If there is a dispute, a student must present a signed physician’s statement indicating the student’s sex is based solely on the student’s internal and external anatomy, natural occurring level of testosterone, and an analysis of the student’s chromosomes.
“It’s amazing to me that on a topic where 9 out of 10 people believe biological boys should not take part in girls sports, not one House Democrat could vote for a bill that states exactly that,” Jacob said.
Jacob said the bill received a full vote of the Minnesota House on March 3. All 67 Republicans voted for the proposal, and all 66 Democrats voted against it. 68 votes are needed in order for legislation to be approved in the Minnesota House. Following some procedural motions after the vote, Jacob said the bill could be revisited by the House in the weeks ahead.