HALL MONITOR: “YES” on protecting girls’ sports in Wisconsin (AB 377 and 378)

Name: Assembly Bill 377 and Assembly Bill 378

Summary: These bill would protect girl’s sports by keeping biological young men out of young women’s sports competitions at elementary and high schools, and public colleges and universities. 

Status: The Assembly passed both AB 377 and AB 378 in October 2023. Both bills were then referred to the Senate committee on Mental Health, Substance Abuse Prevention, Children and Families. The Senate Committee on Mental Health, Substance Abuse Prevention, Children and Families had a hearing on these bills on December 13. 

Sponsors:

Sen. Dan Knodl [R]Sen. Romaine Quinn [R]Sen. Howard Marklein [R]Sen. Rob Hutton [R]
Sen. Cory Tomczyk [R]Rep. Barbara Dittrich [R]Rep. Nik Rettinger [R]Rep. Calvin Callahan [R]
Rep. Gae Magnafici [R]Rep. Amy Binsfeld [R]Rep. Jerry O’Connor [R]Rep. Rick Gundrum [R]
Rep. Nate Gustafson [R]Rep. Dave Maxey [R]Rep. Ty Bodden [R]Rep. William Penterman [R]
Rep. David Armstrong [R]Rep. Janel Brandtjen [R]Rep. Ron Tusler [R]Rep. Scott Johnson [R]
Rep. Angie Sapik [R]Rep. John Macco [R]Rep. Donna Rozar [R]Rep. Chanz Green [R]
Rep. Peter Schmidt [R]Rep. Scott Allen [R]Rep. Elijah Behnke [R]Rep. Cindi Duchow [R]
Rep. Karen Hurd [R]Rep. Paul Tittl [R]Rep. Amanda Nedweski [R]Rep. Michael Schraa [R]
Rep. Chuck Wichgers [R]Rep. James Edming [R]Rep. Shae Sortwell [R]Rep. Bob Donovan [R]

Breakdown:

Assembly Bills 377 and 378 would protect girl’s sports by keeping biological young men out of young women’s sports competitions at elementary and high schools (377) and public colleges and universities (378).

Why does PDE Action support this bill? 

Unfortunately, in the name of “inclusion,” many states have begun allowing biological males who identify as women to compete in women’s sports. This has unfortunately led to repeated injuries for women athletes. Studies have shown that biological males—even those who undergo hormone replacement therapy—retain physical advantages over their female competitors. 

It is vital for the health and safety of women and girls to ensure that athletic competitions are separated by sex, as Assembly Bills 377 and 378 would ensure.