How state K-12 laws determine sex

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

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.