INDIANAPOLIS — A bill that would make it illegal for transgender girls to participate on sports teams designated for girls at public schools in Indiana is moving forward.
The bill, HB 1041, will move to the Senate after it passed the House with a 66-30 vote on Thursday.
HB 1041 would prohibit transgender girls from participating on sports teams at K-12 public schools designated for girls. The bill would also establish a civil action for violations and schools wouldn't be subject to civil, administrative, disciplinary or criminal liability for complying with it.
MORE | Rally at Statehouse planned to oppose HB 1041, bill would restrict trans girls from girls' teams | ACLU says proposed Indiana bill would ban transgender students from school sports
Supporters of the bill, including its author, State Rep. Michelle Davis, R-Greenwood, want the bill to protect fair competition for females.
"I want to make sure that all the opportunities are provided for our young females and we protect the fair competition for them so they have all those possibilities," Davis said.
People who opposed HB 1041 spoke during the bill's hearing in the House Education Committee about the mental health toll transgender kids face when they're singled out by legislation. Many of them were parents who fear their kids will not be able to live a normal life if bills like HB 1041 become law.
"The Indiana Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics opposes this legislation because it would harm children in Indiana and further marginalize transgender youth who are already at higher risk of depression and serious mental health issues," Dr. Lauren Bell said. "Research has shown that refusing to acknowledge an individual's gender identity leads to psychological and physical harm. Gender identity is a well-established concept in medicine which refers to a person's internal sense of being male or female."
-
Kelsey Mitchell, Fever finalizing one-year, $1.4 million deal, per reports
Kelsey Mitchell is fresh off a career season, and the Indiana Fever are now rewarding her for it. The two parties are reportedly finalizing a new one-year supermax deal worth $1.4 million.
Suspect killed in police shooting in Rushville, ISP investigating
Indiana State Police have been requested to investigate an officer-involved shooting in Rushville on Friday.
Indiana Historical Society unveils exhibit to mark nation's 250th anniversary
The Indiana Historical Society is celebrating the opening a new exhibit in recognition of the United States' 250th anniversary.
U.S. Rep. Stutzman: Federal government not in position to suspend gas tax
U.S. Rep. Marlin Stutzman on Friday said he supports the suspension of Indiana's gas tax, but the federal government's finances don't allow it to do the same.
