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HB 221

Education; equal athletic opportunities for public school students; provide

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Imani Barnes and 4 co-sponsors

House Bill 221 ensures equal athletic opportunities for public school students, eliminating gender discrimination and promoting inclusivity in school sports across Georgia.

House Second Readers
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Bill Summary · HB 221

Summary of House Bill 221 (HB 221)

Title: Education; equal athletic opportunities for public school students; provide
Status: House Second Readers
Introduced: February 03, 2025
Bill Number: HB 221
Authors: Representatives Cannon, Drenner, Park, Clark, and Barnes

Purpose and Intent

House Bill 221 aims to amend Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated to ensure equal athletic opportunities for public school students, regardless of gender. The bill seeks to eliminate gender discrimination in interscholastic and intramural athletics and establish a framework for compliance and accountability within local school systems.

Key Provisions

The bill includes several significant provisions:

  1. Prohibition of Gender Discrimination:

    • No student shall be excluded from participation in athletics based on gender.
    • Local school systems cannot provide separate athletic teams solely based on gender, except in specific circumstances.

  2. Separate Teams for Contact Sports:

    • Local school systems may operate separate teams for each gender in contact sports (e.g., boxing, wrestling, football) based on competitive skill.
    • If a team exists for one gender in a sport where the other gender has limited opportunities, the excluded gender must be allowed to try out for that team, unless it is a contact sport.

  3. Equal Athletic Opportunities:

    • Local school systems must make reasonable efforts to provide equal athletic opportunities, considering factors such as:
      • Equipment and supplies
      • Facilities access
      • Scheduling of games and practices
      • Coaching and academic tutoring opportunities

  4. Facility Standards:

    • Separate facilities (toilets, locker rooms, showers) may be provided based on gender, but they must be comparable in quality.

  5. Scholarship Alignment:

    • If a school sponsors an athletic activity similar to one that offers scholarships in the University System of Georgia, it must also sponsor that activity at the school, unless a bona fide survey shows insufficient student interest.

  6. Compliance Coordination:

    • Each local school system must designate an employee responsible for ensuring compliance with the provisions of this bill and investigating complaints regarding noncompliance.

Impact

  • Students: The bill directly affects public school students by promoting equal access to athletic opportunities, thereby enhancing participation and inclusivity in school sports.
  • Local School Systems: Schools will need to review and potentially revise their athletic programs to ensure compliance with the new requirements, which may involve reallocating resources and adjusting policies.
  • Monitoring and Accountability: The bill establishes a framework for monitoring compliance, which may lead to increased oversight and accountability for local school systems regarding gender equity in athletics.

Procedural Aspects

  • The bill was introduced on February 3, 2025, and has passed through the House First Readers and is currently at the House Second Readers stage as of February 5, 2025. Further legislative actions will determine its progression through the legislative process.

This summary provides an overview of HB 221, highlighting its purpose, key provisions, and potential impacts on students and local school systems in Georgia.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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