The Kansas Senate has passed a bill barring transgender athletes from competing in women’s sports, both at the school and higher education levels.
Senate Bill 484, also known as the Fairness in Women’s Sports Act, passed the chamber by a 27-12 vote. 17th District Senator Jeff Longbine of Emporia voted in favor. It now goes to the House for a vote.
The bill would require the Kansas State High School Activities Association and Kansas Board of Regents to determine how the rules are enforced.
This is among several bills in legislatures across the country that are championed by Republicans, who say transgender females have a physical advantage over biological females. A similar bill in the Kansas Legislature last year passed both chambers but was vetoed by Governor Laura Kelly and neither chamber had enough votes to override. Two bills in other states have been vetoed by Republican governors earlier this year.
Separately, the Kansas Senate passed Senate Bill 496, also called the Parents Bill of Rights, on education matters. This bill gives parents a chance to inspect curriculum and other teaching materials. It also gives parents a right to challenge materials they believe are not suited for education, which could lead to those materials being removed.
The bill passed 24-15. Longbine voted against it.
