HARRISBURG – The Senate took a bipartisan step to support biological women through fair competition in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania by approving Senate Bill 9, the Save Women’s Sports Act. The measure will ensure athletic teams designated for women are reserved for biological females in Pennsylvania’s K–12 and collegiate sports.
The bill, now headed to the House of Representatives for consideration, aims to protect competitive fairness, athletic opportunity and safety for female athletes across the commonwealth.
The legislation is sponsored by Sens. Judy Ward (R-30), Kristin Phillips-Hill (R-28), Lisa Baker (R-20), Michele Brooks (R-50), Camera Bartolotta (R-46), Tracy Pennycuick (R-24), Rosemary Brown (R-40), Lynda Schlegel Culver (R-27), Dawn Keefer (R-31), and Senate President Pro Tempore Kim Ward (R-39).
Here is what the prime sponsors had to say following the final passage:
“We cannot allow the opportunities that Title IX enshrined for women to be lost. With our passage of the Save Women’s Sports Act today, my Senate colleagues and I showed that they will defend women and their right to safe and fair competition,” said Judy Ward.
“This is about standing up for the next generation of female athletes across Pennsylvania,” Phillips-Hill said. “They deserve a level playing field and the chance to compete, earn scholarships and succeed based on their hard work, not be sidelined by unfair rules. Today’s vote sends a clear message: we will protect the integrity of women’s sports.”
“This bill establishes as state policy the principles of fair play, respecting the rules of the game, eliminating any unfair physical advantages and ensuring a safer playing field for women and girls in sports,” Baker said.
“It is our responsibility to ensure that young women and girls have access to fair competition and equal opportunities. This is not just a matter of safety – it’s about preserving the integrity of female athletics and ensuring biological females have the chance to earn scholarships, win championships and pursue their dreams at the highest levels, including the Olympics,” said Brooks. “Protecting the safety and future of female athletes isn’t just about fairness but standing up for what’s right for the next generation.”
“President Donald Trump’s Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports executive order was a triumph for women and girls across our great country,” Bartolotta said. “However, today’s advancement of Senate Bill 9 is a testament to my colleagues’ and my dedication to making this change permanent by incorporating it into Pennsylvania law.”
“As a cosponsor of the bill, I believe this is solely about fairness and opportunity and upholding the intent of Title IX,” said Pennycuick. “Title IX was established to eliminate discrimination and ensure equal access to sports for female athletes. Unfortunately, when a biological male replaces a female athlete, that individual is denied the right to equal participation as guaranteed under Title IX. As an athlete in my youth, and the mother of girls who competed in sports, I know the valuable lessons learned from competing in women athletics such as leadership, grit, graciousness in winning and humility in losing. Let’s keep a level playing field in sports.”
“As the Senate considers this bill today, it’s important to remember that every valid competition begins with a level playing field,” said Brown. “This legislation is about safeguarding the fairness and accuracy of women’s sports. As a former college athlete, I know firsthand how those experiences shaped my work ethic and confidence. I want to ensure that female athletes now and in the future have the same opportunity to grow through fair and competitive play.”
“Ensuring fair and safe competition for female athletes has been a consistent priority, and this bill reflects a commitment to upholding the integrity of women’s sports,” Culver said. “I believe every athlete deserves the opportunity to compete on a level playing field, and I’m encouraged by the strong support behind this effort as we work to see it signed into law.”
“Women and girls deserve a level playing field. Allowing biological males in female sports isn’t inclusion—it’s exclusion of the very people Title IX was created to protect. Senate Bill 9 defends the rights of female athletes to compete fairly and without compromise,” said Keefer.
“Today is a great day for female athletes across Pennsylvania as the Senate passed the Save Women’s Sports Act,” said Senate President Pro Tempore Kim Ward. “As women athletes across our commonwealth have broken glass ceilings, their efforts to take girls’ sports to the next level will not be derailed by men competing as women in sports. We stand alongside women athletes to fight for their right to fair competition.”
The legislation reinforces the original intent of Title IX by ensuring female athletes are not denied scholarships, placements or opportunities due to unfair competition from biological males.