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SF 44

Fairness in sports-intercollegiate athletics.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Evie Brennan and 5 co-sponsors

Wyoming colleges must run intercollegiate athletics by biological sex, banning opposite-sex competition and allowing a private civil action with a $50,000 cap.

Assigned Chapter Number 144
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Bill Summary · SF 44

Summary — SF 44: Fairness in sports — intercollegiate athletics (Enrolled Act No. 94, Chapter 144)

Status: Enacted (Governor signed). Effective date: July 1, 2025.
Statutory citation created: W.S. 21-25-301.

Purpose

Require that students at the University of Wyoming and Wyoming community colleges participate in intercollegiate athletic competitions based on their biological sex, and establish related definitions, exceptions, enforcement mechanisms and rulemaking authority.

Key provisions

  • Scope (W.S. 21-25-301): Applies to intercollegiate athletic competitions sponsored or authorized by the University of Wyoming and each Wyoming community college.
  • Participation rule: Educational institutions may not allow a student to compete in competitions designated for the opposite sex.
    • Prohibits a male student from occupying a position in a mixed-sex competition that is designated for female students.
    • Prohibits female-designated competitions from competing with or against a team known to include a male student.
    • In individual sports, female students may not directly compete against a student known to be male if the institution determines such competition would be unsafe or unfair (subject to exception below).
  • Exception: A female student may be allowed to compete in a male-designated competition only if there is no corresponding female competition offered or available.
  • Definitions: "Male" and "Female" are defined by reproductive systems described in the statute (including language about congenital anomalies or disruptions). "Athletic competition," "educational institution," and "individual sport" are also defined.
  • Proof of sex: A student’s sex is deemed correctly stated on the student’s official birth certificate only if entered at or near birth or modified solely to correct a clerical error.
  • Confidentiality: Rulemaking must ensure compliance with state and federal law on confidentiality of student medical information.
  • Rulemaking: The University of Wyoming and the Wyoming community college commission must promulgate implementing rules.

Enforcement, remedies and limits

  • Private cause of action: A person may bring a private civil action against an educational institution for violations.
  • Relief available: Declaratory and injunctive (equitable) relief; courts may award reasonable attorney’s fees and costs to the prevailing party.
  • Procedural references: Actions are subject to W.S. 1-39-113 and 1-39-114 (statutory court/administrative procedures referenced in the act).
  • Liability cap: Institutional liability for any violation is capped at $50,000.
  • Protections and discipline: Institutions may not retaliate against persons reporting violations; institutions may discipline a student or employee who makes a false report.

Who is affected

  • Primary: Students (including athletes) at the University of Wyoming and all Wyoming community colleges, and those institutions’ athletic and administrative programs.
  • Secondary: Coaches, athletic staff, admissions and compliance offices, and individuals or groups who may bring enforcement actions.

Fiscal note

The University of Wyoming indicated the fiscal impact is indeterminable at the time of the fiscal note.

Legislative history & sponsors (selected)

  • Introduced in Senate Jan 15, 2025; passed Senate and House; S. Concurred 23–8; H. Passed 52–8; Governor signed. Assigned Chapter No. 144 / SEA No. 0094.
  • Sponsors/cosponsors include Senators Schuler, Brennan, Crago, Dockstader and Representatives Davis, Harshman (listed among sponsors).

Potential considerations

  • Administrative implementation (eligibility processes, records review, rulemaking) and confidentiality protections for medical records.
  • Possible litigation under the new private right of action and injunctive relief provisions; liability limited to $50,000.
  • Implications for transgender and gender-diverse student-athletes and for institutional compliance with federal civil rights laws (the act requires institutions to promulgate rules consistent with confidentiality obligations).

For full statutory text and amendments, see Enrolled Act No. 94 (W.S. 21-25-301) and associated legislative files.

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

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