Gov. Sununu Signs Two Bills Cracking Down On Biological Males In Women’s Sports, Sex-Change Surgeries For Minors

Republican New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu signed two bills Friday prohibiting both biological males from participating in youth sports and medical professionals from carrying out sex-change surgeries for minors.

Sununu’s office released a press statement announcing the governor’s decision on HB 1205, which addresses transgender youth in sports, and HB 619, which addresses genital gender reassignment surgery for minors.

“As the debate over HB 619 and HB 1205 has played out in Concord and throughout the state, charged political statements have muddled the conversation and distracted from the two primary factors that any parent must consider: safety and fairness for their children,” the press release states. “These two factors have been my primary consideration in reviewing these bills.”

House Bill 1205, also known as “Fairness in Women’s Sports Act,” is set to take into effect on Aug. 19, requiring all sports teams for grades five through 12 to designate athletes by sex and prohibit biological males who have transitioned to females from participating in female athletics.

The separation will give students the option to join “males, men, or boys,” “females, women, or girls, or “coed or mixed.” Students will be required to provide proof of their biological sex through their birth certificate, showing their gender “at or near the time of the student’s birth.”

“HB 1205 ensures fairness and safety in women’s sports by maintaining integrity and competitive balance in athletic competitions. With this widely supported step, New Hampshire joins nearly half of all U.S. States in taking this measure,” the press release says.