Missouri Senate Bill 39

Last updated
Missouri Senate Bill 39
Seal of Missouri.svg
Missouri Legislature
  • AN ACT To amend chapter 163, RSMo, by adding thereto one new section relating to participation in athletic competition, with a severability clause.
Citation
Territorial extentFlag of Missouri.svg  Missouri
Enacted by Missouri Senate
EnactedMarch 23, 2023
Enacted by Missouri House of Representatives
EnactedMay 10, 2023
Signed by Mike Parson
SignedJune 7, 2023
Effective August 28, 2023
Date of expiryAugust 28, 2027
Legislative history
First chamber: Missouri Senate
IntroducedDecember 1, 2022
First reading January 4, 2023
Second reading January 12, 2023
Third reading March 23, 2023
Voting summary
  • 25 voted for
  • 8 voted against
  • 1 absent
Second chamber: Missouri House of Representatives
First readingMarch 23, 2023
Second readingMarch 24, 2023
Third readingMay 10, 2023
Voting summary
  • 109 voted for
  • 49 voted against
  • 3 absent
  • 1 present not voting
Final stages
Finally passed both chambersMay 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]

Contents

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

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

References

  1. ↑ "Senator Holly Thompson Rehder's "Save Women's Sports Act" Approved by Senate". Missouri Senate. 2023-03-21. Retrieved 2025-06-30.
  2. ↑ Cross, Greta; Szuch, Susan (2024-08-28). "Missouri anti-transgender laws went into effect 1 year ago". Springfield News-Leader. Retrieved 2025-06-30.
  3. ↑ "Missouri lawmakers pass bill to ban gender-affirming care for transgender kids". CBS News. 2023-05-10. Retrieved 2025-06-30.
  4. ↑ 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.
  5. ↑ Palermo, Gregg (2023-08-09). "No Missouri rules yet for ban of transgender athletes". Spectrum News. Retrieved 2025-06-30.
  6. ↑ Bayless, Kacen (2023-06-07). "Parson signs ban on trans athletes in girls and women's sports". Kansas City Star. Retrieved 2025-06-30.
  7. ↑ Palermo, Gregg (2023-08-25). "New Missouri laws: Hands-free driving, property taxes, UFOs". Spectrum News. Retrieved 2025-06-30.
  8. ↑ Nelson, Alisa (2023-08-28). "Several Missouri bills become law today". Missourinet. Retrieved 2025-06-30.
  9. ↑ "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.
  10. ↑ Peele, Cullen (2023-05-23). "HRC | Roundup of Anti-LGBTQ+ Legislation Advancing In States Across the Country". Human Rights Campaign. Retrieved 2025-06-30.
  11. ↑ Cunningham, Meg (2023-03-30). "Parents of trans children fight bans on gender-affirming care". The Beacon News. Retrieved 2025-06-30.
  12. ↑ Ballentine, Summer (2023-04-17). "Missouri House votes to limit transgender student athletes". Associated Press. Retrieved 2025-06-30.
  13. ↑ Hanshaw, Annelise (2023-08-21). "Enforcement unclear as Missouri approaches transgender athlete restrictions". Missouri Independent. Retrieved 2025-06-30.
  14. ↑ Hanshaw, Annelise (2024-09-04). "Missouri schools lack public enforcement policies for transgender athlete restrictions". Missouri Independent. Retrieved 2025-06-30.
  15. ↑ Kellogg, Sarah (2025-02-04). "Missouri House looks to make trans youth restrictions permanent". St. Louis Public Radio. Retrieved 2025-06-30.
  16. ↑ Vickers, Clayton (2023-01-31). "Transgender sports bills debated in Missouri legislature". Columbia Missourian. Retrieved 2025-06-30.
  17. ↑ Szuch, Susan; Bacharier, Galen (2023-03-21). "Missouri lawmakers OK limits on transgender health care and athletics". USA Today. Retrieved 2025-06-30.
  18. ↑ Barnes, Katie (2023-08-24). "Transgender athlete laws by state: Legislation, science, more". ESPN. Retrieved 2025-06-30.
  19. ↑ Mullen, Sarah (2023-06-12). "Missouri Limits Transgender Athletes' Participation in Sports". Lewis Rice. Retrieved 2025-06-30.
  20. ↑ 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.
  21. ↑ 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.
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