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HB 2973

Modifies guidelines for student participation in athletic contests organized by sex

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Lisa Durnell

HB 2973 reinforces sex-based athletic eligibility and requires sex-separated facilities in public schools, with limited parent-approved accommodations and penalties for noncomplian

Referred: Emerging Issues(H)
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Bill Summary · HB 2973

Summary of HB 2973 (2026) — Missouri

Purpose and intent

  • Repeals existing language on athletic participation by sex and replaces it with new provisions aimed at protecting fair opportunities for athletic competition and ensuring student privacy and safety in school facilities.
  • Establishes policies regarding (a) which students may compete in athletics designated for a given biological sex, and (b) the use of gender-segregated facilities (shower, locker rooms, restrooms) in public schools.

Key provisions

Athletics participation (Section 163.048)

  • Defines terms:
    • “Athletics” includes interscholastic games, contests, programs, activities, exhibitions, or similar competitions for students.
    • “Sex” means male or female based on biological sex at birth and related genome considerations.
  • State policy and findings:
    • Acknowledges ongoing disparities in athletics participation by sex.
    • States that sex classification is the feasible approach to promoting opportunities for females in athletics.
    • Declares a public policy to preserve sufficient athletic opportunities for females to remedy past discrimination on the basis of sex.
  • Participation rules:
    • Generally, a student may not compete in an athletics competition designated for the opposite biological sex as stated on the student’s official birth certificate (or government record if birth certificate is unavailable).
    • Exception: If there is no corresponding girls’ (female-designated) competition available, a female student may compete in a male-designated competition.
  • Definitions and record-keeping:
    • A “biological sex” designation on birth certificates or government records is considered correct if recorded at birth or corrected for scrivener’s error.
  • Consequences for noncompliance:
    • Private schools, public school districts, public charter schools, and postsecondary institutions that violate these provisions will lose state aid and other state revenues.
    • Violators grant a cause of action to affected students or their guardians for injunctive or equitable relief, as well as attorney’s fees and costs.
  • Rules and implementation:
    • Requires the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and the Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development to promulgate rules to implement the section.
    • Rules must comply with confidentiality laws related to student medical information.
  • Sunset and severability:
    • The original bill text included a sunset (expiration) of August 28, 2027, but the summary notes that the expiration date is repealed by the current bill.
    • If any provision is held invalid, the remainder remains in effect.

School facilities and privacy (Section 171.425)

  • Public school settings and undressed situations:
    • Requires separate, distinct areas in public schools designated by biological sex to protect privacy and safety.
  • Shower rooms, locker rooms, and restrooms:
    • All multi-user shower rooms, locker rooms, and restrooms must be designated for and used only by students of the same biological sex; cross-access is prohibited.
  • Accommodations for gender non-conformity (with parental consent):
    • Students whose gender identity differs from their biological sex may receive alternative accommodations for shower/locker/restroom use, but such accommodations must be approved by a parent or guardian in writing for minors.
    • Accepted accommodations may include supervised access to faculty facilities or single-stall/unisex options (not facilities designated for the opposite biological sex).

Affected parties

  • Students in public and private K–12 schools, public charter schools, and postsecondary institutions in Missouri.
  • Families and guardians of students, particularly those with concerns about athletic competition eligibility and privacy in facilities.
  • School districts, charters, and postsecondary institutions that would be required to implement the athletic participation rules and the privacy/designation requirements for facilities.
  • State agencies (Department of Elementary and Secondary Education; Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development), which would issue implementing rules.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • The bill outlines that implementing agencies must promulgate necessary rules and regulations to administer the provisions, with attention to confidentiality of student medical information.
  • The bill’s effective date and any sunset: the original text included a sunset provision (expiring August 28, 2027) in older versions, but the current summary indicates that the expiration is repealed; the bill emphasizes ongoing application rather than a sunset.
  • Litigation and remedies: Provides a private right of action for injunctive relief and related costs for violations, expanding potential legal remedies for affected students or guardians.
  • Referred to committee (Emerging Issues) and timing of floor actions are shown in the bill’s action history (as of May 15, 2026).

Potential impact and considerations

  • Athletic eligibility: Reinforces sex-based eligibility for interscholastic competition, with a narrow exception when no corresponding female competition exists.
  • Privacy and facilities: Establishes strict sex-separated designations for showers, locker rooms, and restrooms, with limited alternative accommodations that require parental consent.
  • Financial implications: Noncompliance could result in loss of state aid and revenues for governing bodies that fail to comply.
  • Legal considerations: Creates potential litigation avenues for families and students and requires careful compliance with privacy and confidentiality laws.

If you’d like, I can provide a side-by-side comparison with current Missouri law or HB proposals from adjacent sessions to contextualize how HB 2973 would shift policy.

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

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