Missouri Senate Bill 39
| Missouri Senate Bill 39 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Missouri Legislature | |
| |
| Citation | [1] |
| Territorial extent |  Missouri |
| Enacted by | Missouri Senate |
| Enacted | March 23, 2023 |
| Enacted by | Missouri House of Representatives |
| Enacted | May 10, 2023 |
| Signed by | Mike Parson |
| Signed | June 7, 2023 |
| Effective | August 28, 2023 |
| Date of expiry | August 28, 2027 |
| Legislative history | |
| First chamber: Missouri Senate | |
| Introduced | December 1, 2022 |
| First reading | January 4, 2023 |
| Second reading | January 12, 2023 |
| Third reading | March 23, 2023 |
| Voting summary |
|
| Second chamber: Missouri House of Representatives | |
| First reading | March 23, 2023 |
| Second reading | March 24, 2023 |
| Third reading | May 10, 2023 |
| Voting summary |
|
| Final stages | |
| Finally passed both chambers | May 30, 2023 |
| Summary | |
| Prohibits transgender Missourians from competing in sports from K-12 through college that do not align with their biological sex, with limited exceptions. | |
| Status: In force | |
Missouri Senate Bill 39 (SB 39), also known as the Save Women's Sports Act,[1] is a 2023 law in the state of Missouri that prohibits transgender Missourians from competing in school sports leagues that do not align with their biological sex.[2][3] It was signed into law by Governor Mike Parson on June 7, 2023.[4][5][6] The bill will expire on August 28, 2027, four years after its entry into force.[7][8]
Senate Bill 39, along with Senate Bill 49 (relating to gender-affirming care), have been accused of being discriminatory or anti-transgender.[9][10][11][12] As of September 2024, there are few policies in place to enforce Senate Bill 39 in Missouri schools.[13][14] Three bills were introduced in 2025 to remove the expiration provision on Senate Bill 39.[15]
Provisions
[edit]Senate Bill 39 prohibits student athletes of any gender or sex from competing in school sports that do not align with the sex on their birth certificate.[16] It applies to K-12 schools, private schools, and higher education facilities such as colleges.[17] An exception is included for those assigned female at birth as long as the sport does not have a female-only league.[18] Schools that violate Senate Bill 39 will have their state funding revoked.[19][20] Missourians would also not be allowed to compete against other teams if they do not have a similar policy in place.[21]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "Senator Holly Thompson Rehder's "Save Women's Sports Act" Approved by Senate". Missouri Senate. 2023-03-21. Retrieved 2025-06-30.
- ^ Cross, Greta; Szuch, Susan (2024-08-28). "Missouri anti-transgender laws went into effect 1 year ago". Springfield News-Leader. Retrieved 2025-06-30.
- ^ "Missouri lawmakers pass bill to ban gender-affirming care for transgender kids". CBS News. 2023-05-10. Retrieved 2025-06-30.
- ^ Iyer, Kaanita; Forrest, Jack; Cole, Devan (2023-06-07). "Missouri Gov. Mike Parson signs bills banning gender-affirming care, trans athletes". CNN. Retrieved 2025-06-30.
- ^ Palermo, Gregg (2023-08-09). "No Missouri rules yet for ban of transgender athletes". Spectrum News. Retrieved 2025-06-30.
- ^ Bayless, Kacen (2023-06-07). "Parson signs ban on trans athletes in girls and women's sports". Kansas City Star. Retrieved 2025-06-30.
- ^ Palermo, Gregg (2023-08-25). "New Missouri laws: Hands-free driving, property taxes, UFOs". Spectrum News. Retrieved 2025-06-30.
- ^ Nelson, Alisa (2023-08-28). "Several Missouri bills become law today". Missourinet. Retrieved 2025-06-30.
- ^ "HRC | Human Rights Campaign Condemns Missouri State House of Representatives for Passing Anti-Trans Sports Ban". Human Rights Campaign. Jefferson City, Missouri. 2023-04-18. Retrieved 2025-06-30.
- ^ Peele, Cullen (2023-05-23). "HRC | Roundup of Anti-LGBTQ+ Legislation Advancing In States Across the Country". Human Rights Campaign. Retrieved 2025-06-30.
- ^ Cunningham, Meg (2023-03-30). "Parents of trans children fight bans on gender-affirming care". The Beacon News. Retrieved 2025-06-30.
- ^ Ballentine, Summer (2023-04-17). "Missouri House votes to limit transgender student athletes". Associated Press. Retrieved 2025-06-30.
- ^ Hanshaw, Annelise (2023-08-21). "Enforcement unclear as Missouri approaches transgender athlete restrictions". Missouri Independent. Retrieved 2025-06-30.
- ^ Hanshaw, Annelise (2024-09-04). "Missouri schools lack public enforcement policies for transgender athlete restrictions". Missouri Independent. Retrieved 2025-06-30.
- ^ Kellogg, Sarah (2025-02-04). "Missouri House looks to make trans youth restrictions permanent". St. Louis Public Radio. Retrieved 2025-06-30.
- ^ Vickers, Clayton (2023-01-31). "Transgender sports bills debated in Missouri legislature". Columbia Missourian. Retrieved 2025-06-30.
- ^ Szuch, Susan; Bacharier, Galen (2023-03-21). "Missouri lawmakers OK limits on transgender health care and athletics". USA Today. Retrieved 2025-06-30.
- ^ Barnes, Katie (2023-08-24). "Transgender athlete laws by state: Legislation, science, more". ESPN. Retrieved 2025-06-30.
- ^ Mullen, Sarah (2023-06-12). "Missouri Limits Transgender Athletes' Participation in Sports". Lewis Rice. Retrieved 2025-06-30.
- ^ Ballentine, Summer; Hanna, John (2023-05-10). "Missouri lawmakers ban gender-affirming care, trans athletes; Kansas City moves to defy state". Associated Press. Retrieved 2025-06-30.
- ^ Forrest, Jack; Iyer, Kaanita; Cole, Devan (2023-05-10). "Missouri lawmakers pass gender-affirming care ban for minors and anti-trans sports bill". CNN. Retrieved 2025-06-30.
