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SB 211 · 2026 · Senate · Education Committee

Biological sex rules for school sports

AI-generated

relative to biological sex in student athletics.

Requires school sports teams to be designated as male, female, or coed, prohibits biologically male students from participating on female-designated teams or entering female locker rooms, and creates a cause of action for athletes harmed by violations of these requirements.AI-generated

Status

Killed in the House — Inexpedient to Legislate · January 7, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓Senate
  3. ✕House
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill requires school sports teams to be expressly designated as male, female, or coed, prohibits biologically male students from participating in female designated sports or entering female locker rooms, and creates a cause of action for athletes harmed as a result of violations of these requirements.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

In the bill's words

Quoted verbatim from the bill as introduced. Passages chosen from the operative text.Computed by this site

“Any team, sport, or athletic event designated for females, women, or girls shall only be open to students of the female sex.”
Section 2
“Any team, sport, or athletic event designated for males, men, or boys shall be open to students of either sex.”
Section 2
“Any party prevailing on a claim brought under this section shall be entitled to reasonable attorney’s fees and costs. 193-L:3 ? Limitations Upon Actions;”
Section 2
“No governmental entity, school, school district, or institution of higher education shall be liable to any athlete for its compliance with RSA 193-L:1.”
Section 2

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Sen. Kevin AvardRPrimeDeputy Majority Whip
  • Sen. Timothy LangRMajority Whip
  • Sen. Daniel InnisRVice Chair· Education Finance
  • Sen. Ruth WardRChair· Education
  • Sen. Daryl AbbasRPresident Pro Tempore
  • Sen. Victoria SullivanRVice Chair· Education
  • Sen. David RochefortRChair· Health and Human Services
  • Sen. Bill GannonRChair· Judiciary
  • Sen. Howard PearlRChair· Executive Departments and Administration
  • Sen. Mark McConkeyRChair· Capital Budget
  • Rep. Jeanine NotterRAssistant Majority Leader
  • Rep. Diane PauerRChair· Municipal and County Government
  • Rep. Shane SiroisRClerk· Legislative Administration

Also: Sen. Tim McGoughR, Rep. Jim KofaltR

Public testimony

No one submitted online testimony on this bill. See the record

Votes

yeanay
Starting text: Bill as introduced
  • Mar 27, 2025SenateCommittee report: Ought to Pass2–1
    Overall
    67% yea
  • Mar 27, 2025SenateVoice voteSen. Prentiss Floor Amendment # 2025-1373sfailed
  • Mar 27, 2025SenateRoll callOught to PassAdopted16–8How they voted
    Overall
    67% yea
    Party-line vote
    Republicans
    16–0100% yea
    Democrats
    0–80% yea
  • Nov 5, 2025HouseCommittee report· consent calendar: Inexpedient to Legislate16–2
    Overall
    89% yea
  • Jan 7, 2026HouseVoice voteInexpedient to Legislateadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Mar 4, 2025Public hearingSenate Education1:27:58–1:29:071m 9slocated in the stream transcriptHearing
  • Mar 27, 2025Floor debateSenate floor1:09:14–1:10:451m 31slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Ought to Pass; Ought to Pass — adopted, roll call 16-8; Sen. Prentiss Floor Amendment # 2025-1373s — failed, voice vote
  • Apr 23, 2025Public hearingHouse Education Policy and Administration57:50–1:02:264m 36slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • May 20, 2025Public hearingHouse Education Policy and Administration1:33:27–1:34:461m 19slocated in the stream transcriptExecutive Session; Retained in Committee
  • Nov 5, 2025Public hearingHouse Education Policy and AdministrationWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamCommittee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate; Executive Session
  • Jan 7, 2026Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamInexpedient to Legislate — adopted, voice vote

Timestamps locate where this bill is taken up in the chamber's YouTube stream.

Legislative history

  1. Jan 9, 2025SenIntroduced 01/09/2025 and Referred to Education; SJ 3
  2. Mar 4, 2025SenHearing: 03/04/2025, Room 101, LOB, 09:30 am; SC 11
  3. Mar 27, 2025SenCommittee Report: Ought to Pass, 03/27/2025, Vote 2-1; SC 14
  4. Mar 27, 2025SenSpecial Order to the Beginning of the Regular Calendar, Without Objection; 03/27/2025; SJ 9
  5. Mar 27, 2025SenSen. Prentiss Floor Amendment # 2025-1373s, AF, VV; 03/27/2025; SJ 9
  6. Mar 27, 2025SenOught to Pass: RC 16Y-8N, MA; OT3rdg; 03/27/2025; SJ 9
  7. Mar 27, 2025HouseIntroduced (in recess of) 03/27/2025 and referred to Education Policy and Administration HJ 11 P. 112
  8. Apr 7, 2025House==CANCELLED== Public Hearing: 04/07/2025 01:30 pm LOB 205-207
  9. Apr 23, 2025HousePublic Hearing: 04/23/2025 10:00 am LOB 205-207
  10. May 20, 2025HouseExecutive Session: 05/20/2025 09:30 am LOB 206-208
  11. May 20, 2025HouseRetained in Committee
  12. Nov 5, 2025HouseExecutive Session: 11/05/2025 02:00 pm GP 232
  13. Nov 5, 2025House: Inexpedient to Legislate 11/05/2025 (Vote 16-2; CC) HC 51 P. 8
  14. Jan 7, 2026HouseInexpedient to Legislate: MA VV 01/07/2026 HJ 1 P. 50

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Background reading

Evergreen reading on the policy area — spanning perspectives — not coverage of this specific bill.

Documents (PDF)

Bill text & amendments link direct to gc.nh.gov; committee reports stream from the state record.