The bill aims to enhance the competitiveness and fairness of girls' interscholastic athletic activities in Washington state. It emphasizes the importance of girls' sports in public education, highlighting their role in fostering excellence, teamwork, and lasting relationships. The legislation clarifies the responsibilities of the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA) and other nonprofit entities in regulating participation in girls' athletics to promote fair competition and safety. Amendments to RCW 28A.600.200 grant school district boards the authority to delegate control of interschool athletic activities to the WIAA, ensuring that these entities adhere to non-discrimination policies and establish written rules for student participation.

Additionally, the bill introduces new sections that mandate the WIAA to adopt competitiveness rules aimed at ensuring fair competition in girls' athletics. These rules must consider physiological and hormonal variations among athletes and may allow for the exclusion of competitors who possess an unfair advantage due to endocrine characteristics. Importantly, the legislation clarifies that decisions made under these competitiveness rules do not constitute unlawful discrimination, thereby protecting the integrity of the rules while maintaining distinct boys' and girls' teams in interscholastic athletics.

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 28A.600.200