Pennsylvania SB9: An Act providing for sport activities in public institutions of higher education and public school entities to be expressly designated male, female or coed; and creating causes of action for harm suffered by designation.

What the bill says

From the introduced text, February 3, 2025:

PRINTER'S NO. 177 THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA SENATE BILL No. Session of INTRODUCED BY J. WARD, PHILLIPS-HILL, K. WARD, BAKER, BROOKS, BARTOLOTTA, PENNYCUICK, BROWN, CULVER, KEEFER, ROTHMAN, MASTRIANO, LANGERHOLC, HUTCHINSON, MARTIN, STEFANO, DUSH AND FARRY, FEBRUARY 3, 2025 REFERRED TO EDUCATION, FEBRUARY 3, 2025 Providing for sport activities in public institutions of higher education and public school entities to be expressly designated male, female or coed; and creating causes of action for harm suffered by designation. The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania hereby enacts as follows: Section 1. Short title. This act shall be known and may be cited as the Fairness in Women's Sports Act. Section 2. Definitions. The following words and phrases when used in this act shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the context clearly indicates otherwise: "Public institution of higher education." One of the following: (1) A community college operating under Article XIX-A of the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949. (2) A rural regional college established under Article XIX-G of the Public School Code of 1949. (3) An university within the State System of Higher Education under Article XX-A of the Public School Code of 1949. (4) A State-related institution as defined in section 2001-C of the Public …

Read the full official text

Sponsors

• Judith Ward (R, 30) · primary sponsor
• Kristin Phillips-Hill (R, 28)
• Kim Ward (R, 39)
• Lisa Baker (R, 20)
• Michele Brooks (R, 50)
• Camera Bartolotta (R, 46)
• Tracy Pennycuick (R, 24)
• Rosemary Brown (R, 40)
• Culver, Lynda Schlegel (R, 27)
• Dawn Keefer (R, 31)
• Greg Rothman (R, 34)
• Doug Mastriano (R, 33)

Latest actions

1. July 1, 2026: Re-referred to HEALTH, July 1, 2026
2. July 1, 2026: Re-reported with request to re-refer to HEALTH, July 1, 2026
3. June 15, 2026: Re-referred to JUDICIARY, June 15, 2026
4. June 15, 2026: Reported with request to re-refer to JUDICIARY, June 15, 2026
5. June 2, 2026: Re-referred to HEALTH, June 2, 2026
6. June 2, 2026: Reported with request to re-refer to HEALTH, June 2, 2026
7. March 19, 2026: Re-referred to CHILDREN AND YOUTH, March 19, 2026
8. March 19, 2026: Reported with request to re-refer to CHILDREN AND YOUTH, March 19, 2026
9. October 29, 2025: Re-referred to JUDICIARY, Oct. 29, 2025
10. October 29, 2025: Reported with request to re-refer to JUDICIARY, Oct. 29, 2025

Votes

• House Judiciary: Re-refer Bill To Another Committee (July 1, 2026): 14 yea, 12 nay, passed
• House Health: Re-refer Bill To Another Committee (June 15, 2026): 14 yea, 12 nay, passed
• House Children & Youth: Re-refer Bill To Another Committee (June 2, 2026): 14 yea, 12 nay, passed
• House Children & Youth: Appeal the Ruling of the Chair (March 25, 2026): 14 yea, 8 nay, passed
• House Judiciary: Re-refer Bill To Another Committee (March 10, 2026): 15 yea, 11 nay, passed
• House Judiciary: Motion to appeal the ruling of the Chair (March 10, 2026): 12 yea, 14 nay, failed

Common questions

What is SB9?

SB9 is a bill in the Pennsylvania Legislature (2025-2026 Regular Session): An Act providing for sport activities in public institutions of higher education and public school entities to be expressly designated male, female or coed; and creating causes of action for harm suffered by designation.

What is the status of SB9?

Passed one chamber as of July 1, 2026. Latest action: Re-referred to HEALTH, July 1, 2026 (July 1, 2026).

Who sponsored SB9?

Judith Ward (R, 30), with 11 co-sponsors.

Where is the official record for SB9?

On the Pennsylvania Legislature website: https://www.palegis.us/legislation/bills/2025/sb9