State laws on girls' school sports eligibility, compared with Washington's I-638

What this dataset measures

Washington's No campaign calls IL26-638 'the Most Extreme Proposal of Its Kind In The U.S.' Testing that requires the measure's own text beside every enacted state rule of the same kind. The set is every state with a statute or state-level regulation restricting female-designated school teams to students of female sex, checked against the Movement Advancement Project's list (27 laws plus Alaska's regulation; Virginia's 2025 high-school league policy and the Pennsylvania and Wisconsin association policies are not state laws or regulations and are excluded). Each row was coded from the official statute, bill or regulation text, with verbatim excerpts in a second table.

Geography

United States

Unit of observation

One state measure: an enacted law or regulation, or the proposed Washington initiative

Update cadence

As needed when states enact, amend or courts block these laws

Curator

FactHub Research Team

Curated data tables

These related tables form this versioned dataset release. Each table has its own downloadable file and field definitions.

State measures compared

Coded provisions of each state girls'-sports eligibility law or regulation and of IL26-638.

Unit of observation: One state measure

View this table

state_laws.csv text/csv · 7.8 KB (7,943 bytes)

19 field definitions

Field	Type	Meaning	Units	Value type
abbrev	string	Two-letter state code (WA marks the proposed measure).	—	observed
state	string	State name.	—	observed
measure_type	string	law, regulation, or proposed initiative.	—	observed
citation	string	Statute, regulation or bill citation for the operative text.	—	observed
year_enacted	integer	Year the first such measure took effect or was enacted (2026 for the proposal).	year	observed
grade_scope	string	Which schools or grades the K-12 rule reaches, as the text states it.	—	observed
grade_floor	integer	Lowest grade the text explicitly covers; empty when the text states no grade limit. Secondary-school-only laws are coded 6 (FL, WV, NC), high-school-only 9 (AK).	grade	derived
covers_college	string	yes if the measure also covers college or university sports.	—	derived
covers_private_schools	string	yes, limited (only state-funded schools), or no.	—	derived
also_bars_girls_from_boys_teams	string	yes if the K-12 rule also restricts girls from boys' teams (in some cases only where a girls' team exists).	—	derived
k12_verification	string	How the K-12 rule determines or proves sex: birth_certificate, no_method_stated, parent_affidavit_all_athletes, provider_document_all_athletes, provider_statement_on_dispute, provider_statement_every_girl.	—	derived
routine_proof_required	string	Who must submit proof of sex with no dispute: none, all_athletes, every_girl.	—	derived
provider_role	string	Role of a health care provider: none, dispute_only, alternative, required_all_athletes, required_every_girl.	—	derived
medical_bases_listed	string	yes if the text lists the medical bases (anatomy, genetics, hormones) a provider must rely on.	—	derived
birth_certificate_role	string	primary (birth certificate determines or presumptively determines sex), primary_or_provider_affidavit, not_mentioned, not_mentioned_k12_primary_college, or not_a_listed_basis (IL26-638: the provider may rely only on three other bases).	—	derived
private_right_of_action	string	yes (students may sue for damages or full relief), limited (injunction-only, or college-only), or no.	—	derived
penalty_on_noncomplying_schools	string	yes if the text withholds state funds or bars teams from postseason play for noncompliance (TN, MO, GA).	—	derived
status_oct_2026	string	Legal status as of October 23, 2026.	—	observed
primary_url	string	Official text the row was coded from.	—	observed

Verbatim provisions

The passages of official text each row was coded from.

Unit of observation: One quoted passage

View this table

state_law_quotes.csv text/csv · 47.9 KB (49,015 bytes)

5 field definitions

Field	Type	Meaning	Units	Value type
abbrev	string	State code, matching state_laws.csv.	—	observed
topic	string	What the passage addresses (coverage, verification, cause_of_action, and so on).	—	derived
locator	string	Section or subsection of the text.	—	observed
quote	string	Verbatim text, at most 500 characters.	—	observed
url	string	Page the passage was copied from.	—	observed

Supporting files

Source snapshots, manifests, quality reports, documentation, and other materials used to produce or review this release.

• compare_state_laws.js Transformation manifest · text/javascript · 2.4 KB (2,481 bytes)

  Node.js script that recomputes the two saved analyses from state_laws.csv.

• dataset_parts.json Documentation · application/json · 39.7 KB (40,619 bytes)

  The dataset's sources, table definitions and saved analyses as JSON, as stored in this version.

Saved analyses

Sources

1. Idaho: Idaho Code 33-6201 to 33-6206 Primary legal text for the Idaho row: coverage, verification method, and enforcement provisions.

   Retrieved October 23, 2026. Government legal text (public record). Statute and bill text is public; short verbatim excerpts are reproduced in state_law_quotes.csv.

   Reliability: Government. Official legislature, code revisor or agency publication of the enacted text. Some pages are bill text rather than the codified section; later amendments are noted in the row.

2. Mississippi: Mississippi Fairness Act (SB 2536, 2021) Primary legal text for the Mississippi row: coverage, verification method, and enforcement provisions.

   Retrieved October 23, 2026. Government legal text (public record). Statute and bill text is public; short verbatim excerpts are reproduced in state_law_quotes.csv.

   Reliability: Government. Official legislature, code revisor or agency publication of the enacted text. Some pages are bill text rather than the codified section; later amendments are noted in the row.

3. Tennessee: Tenn. Code Ann. 49-6-310 (2021); Pub. Ch. 1005 and 909 (2022) Primary legal text for the Tennessee row: coverage, verification method, and enforcement provisions.

   Retrieved October 23, 2026. Government legal text (public record). Statute and bill text is public; short verbatim excerpts are reproduced in state_law_quotes.csv.

   Reliability: Government. Official legislature, code revisor or agency publication of the enacted text. Some pages are bill text rather than the codified section; later amendments are noted in the row.

4. Arkansas: Ark. Code Ann. 6-1-107 Primary legal text for the Arkansas row: coverage, verification method, and enforcement provisions.

   Retrieved October 23, 2026. Government legal text (public record). Statute and bill text is public; short verbatim excerpts are reproduced in state_law_quotes.csv.

   Reliability: Government. Official legislature, code revisor or agency publication of the enacted text. Some pages are bill text rather than the codified section; later amendments are noted in the row.

5. Montana: MCA 20-7-1305 to 20-7-1307; MCA 49-2-307 (2025) Primary legal text for the Montana row: coverage, verification method, and enforcement provisions.

   Retrieved October 23, 2026. Government legal text (public record). Statute and bill text is public; short verbatim excerpts are reproduced in state_law_quotes.csv.

   Reliability: Government. Official legislature, code revisor or agency publication of the enacted text. Some pages are bill text rather than the codified section; later amendments are noted in the row.

6. Alabama: Ala. Code 16-1-52 Primary legal text for the Alabama row: coverage, verification method, and enforcement provisions.

   Retrieved October 23, 2026. Government legal text (public record). Statute and bill text is public; short verbatim excerpts are reproduced in state_law_quotes.csv.

   Reliability: Government. Official legislature, code revisor or agency publication of the enacted text. Some pages are bill text rather than the codified section; later amendments are noted in the row.

7. West Virginia: W. Va. Code 18-2-25d Primary legal text for the West Virginia row: coverage, verification method, and enforcement provisions.

   Retrieved October 23, 2026. Government legal text (public record). Statute and bill text is public; short verbatim excerpts are reproduced in state_law_quotes.csv.

   Reliability: Government. Official legislature, code revisor or agency publication of the enacted text. Some pages are bill text rather than the codified section; later amendments are noted in the row.

8. Florida: Fla. Stat. 1006.205 Primary legal text for the Florida row: coverage, verification method, and enforcement provisions.

   Retrieved October 23, 2026. Government legal text (public record). Statute and bill text is public; short verbatim excerpts are reproduced in state_law_quotes.csv.

   Reliability: Government. Official legislature, code revisor or agency publication of the enacted text. Some pages are bill text rather than the codified section; later amendments are noted in the row.

9. South Dakota: SDCL 13-67-1 to 13-67-4 Primary legal text for the South Dakota row: coverage, verification method, and enforcement provisions.

   Retrieved October 23, 2026. Government legal text (public record). Statute and bill text is public; short verbatim excerpts are reproduced in state_law_quotes.csv.

   Reliability: Government. Official legislature, code revisor or agency publication of the enacted text. Some pages are bill text rather than the codified section; later amendments are noted in the row.

10. Texas: Tex. Educ. Code 33.0834; 51.980 (2023) Primary legal text for the Texas row: coverage, verification method, and enforcement provisions.

    Retrieved October 23, 2026. Government legal text (public record). Statute and bill text is public; short verbatim excerpts are reproduced in state_law_quotes.csv.

    Reliability: Government. Official legislature, code revisor or agency publication of the enacted text. Some pages are bill text rather than the codified section; later amendments are noted in the row.

11. Oklahoma: 70 O.S. 27-106 Primary legal text for the Oklahoma row: coverage, verification method, and enforcement provisions.

    Retrieved October 23, 2026. Government legal text (public record). Statute and bill text is public; short verbatim excerpts are reproduced in state_law_quotes.csv.

    Reliability: Government. Official legislature, code revisor or agency publication of the enacted text. Some pages are bill text rather than the codified section; later amendments are noted in the row.

12. Arizona: A.R.S. 15-120.02 Primary legal text for the Arizona row: coverage, verification method, and enforcement provisions.

    Retrieved October 23, 2026. Government legal text (public record). Statute and bill text is public; short verbatim excerpts are reproduced in state_law_quotes.csv.

    Reliability: Government. Official legislature, code revisor or agency publication of the enacted text. Some pages are bill text rather than the codified section; later amendments are noted in the row.

13. Iowa: Iowa Code ch. 261I; 4.1A Primary legal text for the Iowa row: coverage, verification method, and enforcement provisions.

    Retrieved October 23, 2026. Government legal text (public record). Statute and bill text is public; short verbatim excerpts are reproduced in state_law_quotes.csv.

    Reliability: Government. Official legislature, code revisor or agency publication of the enacted text. Some pages are bill text rather than the codified section; later amendments are noted in the row.

14. Utah: Utah Code 53G-6-901 to -904; 53G-7-1102 Primary legal text for the Utah row: coverage, verification method, and enforcement provisions.

    Retrieved October 23, 2026. Government legal text (public record). Statute and bill text is public; short verbatim excerpts are reproduced in state_law_quotes.csv.

    Reliability: Government. Official legislature, code revisor or agency publication of the enacted text. Some pages are bill text rather than the codified section; later amendments are noted in the row.

15. Indiana: Ind. Code 20-33-13 (2022); HEA 1041 (2025, colleges) Primary legal text for the Indiana row: coverage, verification method, and enforcement provisions.

    Retrieved October 23, 2026. Government legal text (public record). Statute and bill text is public; short verbatim excerpts are reproduced in state_law_quotes.csv.

    Reliability: Government. Official legislature, code revisor or agency publication of the enacted text. Some pages are bill text rather than the codified section; later amendments are noted in the row.

16. Louisiana: La. R.S. 4:441 to 4:446 Primary legal text for the Louisiana row: coverage, verification method, and enforcement provisions.

    Retrieved October 23, 2026. Government legal text (public record). Statute and bill text is public; short verbatim excerpts are reproduced in state_law_quotes.csv.

    Reliability: Government. Official legislature, code revisor or agency publication of the enacted text. Some pages are bill text rather than the codified section; later amendments are noted in the row.

17. South Carolina: S.C. Code 59-1-500 Primary legal text for the South Carolina row: coverage, verification method, and enforcement provisions.

    Retrieved October 23, 2026. Government legal text (public record). Statute and bill text is public; short verbatim excerpts are reproduced in state_law_quotes.csv.

    Reliability: Government. Official legislature, code revisor or agency publication of the enacted text. Some pages are bill text rather than the codified section; later amendments are noted in the row.

18. Kentucky: KRS 156.070(2)(g); KRS 164.2813 Primary legal text for the Kentucky row: coverage, verification method, and enforcement provisions.

    Retrieved October 23, 2026. Government legal text (public record). Statute and bill text is public; short verbatim excerpts are reproduced in state_law_quotes.csv.

    Reliability: Government. Official legislature, code revisor or agency publication of the enacted text. Some pages are bill text rather than the codified section; later amendments are noted in the row.

19. Wyoming: W.S. 21-25-101 to -102; 21-25-301 (2025, colleges) Primary legal text for the Wyoming row: coverage, verification method, and enforcement provisions.

    Retrieved October 23, 2026. Government legal text (public record). Statute and bill text is public; short verbatim excerpts are reproduced in state_law_quotes.csv.

    Reliability: Government. Official legislature, code revisor or agency publication of the enacted text. Some pages are bill text rather than the codified section; later amendments are noted in the row.

20. Kansas: K.S.A. 60-5601 to 60-5606 Primary legal text for the Kansas row: coverage, verification method, and enforcement provisions.

    Retrieved October 23, 2026. Government legal text (public record). Statute and bill text is public; short verbatim excerpts are reproduced in state_law_quotes.csv.

    Reliability: Government. Official legislature, code revisor or agency publication of the enacted text. Some pages are bill text rather than the codified section; later amendments are noted in the row.

21. North Dakota: N.D.C.C. ch. 15.1-39; ch. 15-10.6 Primary legal text for the North Dakota row: coverage, verification method, and enforcement provisions.

    Retrieved October 23, 2026. Government legal text (public record). Statute and bill text is public; short verbatim excerpts are reproduced in state_law_quotes.csv.

    Reliability: Government. Official legislature, code revisor or agency publication of the enacted text. Some pages are bill text rather than the codified section; later amendments are noted in the row.

22. Georgia: O.C.G.A. 20-2-315; 20-3-15 to 20-3-16 (2025) Primary legal text for the Georgia row: coverage, verification method, and enforcement provisions.

    Retrieved October 23, 2026. Government legal text (public record). Statute and bill text is public; short verbatim excerpts are reproduced in state_law_quotes.csv.

    Reliability: Government. Official legislature, code revisor or agency publication of the enacted text. Some pages are bill text rather than the codified section; later amendments are noted in the row.

23. Missouri: RSMo 163.048 Primary legal text for the Missouri row: coverage, verification method, and enforcement provisions.

    Retrieved October 23, 2026. Government legal text (public record). Statute and bill text is public; short verbatim excerpts are reproduced in state_law_quotes.csv.

    Reliability: Government. Official legislature, code revisor or agency publication of the enacted text. Some pages are bill text rather than the codified section; later amendments are noted in the row.

24. North Carolina: G.S. 115C-12(23); G.S. 116-400 to 116-403 (S.L. 2023-109) Primary legal text for the North Carolina row: coverage, verification method, and enforcement provisions.

    Retrieved October 23, 2026. Government legal text (public record). Statute and bill text is public; short verbatim excerpts are reproduced in state_law_quotes.csv.

    Reliability: Government. Official legislature, code revisor or agency publication of the enacted text. Some pages are bill text rather than the codified section; later amendments are noted in the row.

25. New Hampshire: RSA 193:41 to 193:42 Primary legal text for the New Hampshire row: coverage, verification method, and enforcement provisions.

    Retrieved October 23, 2026. Government legal text (public record). Statute and bill text is public; short verbatim excerpts are reproduced in state_law_quotes.csv.

    Reliability: Government. Official legislature, code revisor or agency publication of the enacted text. Some pages are bill text rather than the codified section; later amendments are noted in the row.

26. Ohio: R.C. 3313.5320; R.C. 3345.562 Primary legal text for the Ohio row: coverage, verification method, and enforcement provisions.

    Retrieved October 23, 2026. Government legal text (public record). Statute and bill text is public; short verbatim excerpts are reproduced in state_law_quotes.csv.

    Reliability: Government. Official legislature, code revisor or agency publication of the enacted text. Some pages are bill text rather than the codified section; later amendments are noted in the row.

27. Alaska: 4 AAC 06.115(b)(5)(D) Primary legal text for the Alaska row: coverage, verification method, and enforcement provisions.

    Retrieved October 23, 2026. Government legal text (public record). Statute and bill text is public; short verbatim excerpts are reproduced in state_law_quotes.csv.

    Reliability: Government. Official legislature, code revisor or agency publication of the enacted text. Some pages are bill text rather than the codified section; later amendments are noted in the row.

28. Nebraska: Laws 2025, LB 89 (Stand With Women Act) Primary legal text for the Nebraska row: coverage, verification method, and enforcement provisions.

    Retrieved October 23, 2026. Government legal text (public record). Statute and bill text is public; short verbatim excerpts are reproduced in state_law_quotes.csv.

    Reliability: Government. Official legislature, code revisor or agency publication of the enacted text. Some pages are bill text rather than the codified section; later amendments are noted in the row.

29. Washington Secretary of State: Initiative Measure No. IL26-638, filed text Primary legal text of the proposed measure (Sections 2-3).

    Retrieved October 23, 2026. Government legal text (public record). Statute and bill text is public; short verbatim excerpts are reproduced in state_law_quotes.csv.

    Reliability: Government. Official filed text of the initiative as posted by the Secretary of State; it is the measure itself, not a summary.

30. Supreme Court of the United States: West Virginia v. B.P.J., No. 24-43 (with Little v. Hecox, No. 24-38), opinion of June 30, 2026 Legal status of the Idaho and West Virginia laws, and the constitutional backdrop for every row.

    Retrieved October 23, 2026. U.S. government work. Public domain.

    Reliability: Government. The Court's slip opinion. It decides the Title IX and equal protection questions for two states' laws; it does not address other states' verification rules.

31. Supreme Court of the United States: order list of June 30, 2026 (Petersen v. Doe, No. 24-449) Status of the Arizona row.

    Retrieved October 23, 2026. U.S. government work. Public domain.

    Reliability: Government. Official order list; it vacates and remands the Arizona appeal in light of B.P.J. without deciding it.

32. Movement Advancement Project: Bans on transgender youth participation in sports Cross-check of which states have a law or regulation (MAP counts 27 by law plus 2 by regulation or agency policy, Alaska and Virginia, as of October 22, 2026).

    Retrieved October 23, 2026. Cited for facts; not redistributed. Not redistributed; cited only.

    Reliability: Advocacy group. MAP is an LGBTQ-rights think tank that opposes these laws. Its state list is used only as a completeness check against the primary texts; its map still showed Idaho as court-blocked after the June 2026 ruling.

Limitations and reproducibility

Reproducible: Every coded value can be checked against the official text linked in its row; state_law_quotes.csv holds the verbatim passages used. compare_state_laws.js recomputes both saved analyses from state_laws.csv.

• Coding reflects statute and regulation text. Athletic-association rules that implement the laws (for example KSHSAA in Kansas, which reportedly uses the birth certificate in disputes) were not reviewed, so practice may be stricter or looser than the text.
• Where a law states no verification method (14 states), schools and associations decide how sex is shown; 'no method stated' does not mean no proof is ever asked for.
• Some codified pages could not be fetched; for those rows (Indiana, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Georgia, Mississippi, Nebraska) the text was read from enrolled bills or a reproduction of the code, and later amendments may be missed.
• Grade floors for laws that say only "secondary schools" (Florida, West Virginia) are coded as grade 6, the usual start of middle school; the statutes do not state a grade.
• IL26-638 is a proposal; its practical reach depends on implementing rules. Its text states no grade floor, but WIAA-sanctioned programs run grades 7-12, with 6th graders where a district opts in.
• Legal status changes quickly; Arizona's injunction was unresolved after the Supreme Court vacated the appeal on June 30, 2026.
• Coding was done by one coder and has not been double-coded.