GeorgiaSB 12025-2026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

'Fair and Safe Athletic Opportunities Act'; enact

Sponsored By: John Albers (Republican), Jason Anavitarte (Republican), Lee Anderson (Republican), Brandon Beach (Republican), Timothy Bearden (Republican), Matt Brass (Republican), Max Burns (Republican), Bill Cowsert (Republican), Clint Dixon (Republican), Greg Dolezal (Republican), Drew Echols (Republican), Frank Ginn (Republican), Steve Gooch (Republican), Russ Goodman (Republican), Marty Harbin (Republican), Bo Hatchett (Republican), Billy Hickman (Republican), Mike Hodges (Republican), Chuck Hufstetler (Republican), John F. Kennedy (Republican), Kay Kirkpatrick (Republican), Colton Moore (Republican), Chuck Payne (Republican), Randy Robertson (Republican), Shawn Still (Republican), Brian Strickland (Republican), Blake Tillery (Republican), Larry Walker (Republican), Ben Watson (Republican), Sam Watson (Republican)

Signed by Governor

EducationEducation and YouthGeneral Bill

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

11 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 1 costs, 6 mixed.

Harmed student athletes can seek damages

Students can sue when violations deny athletic opportunities or cause harm; parents or guardians may act on their behalf. Students also have a right to sue over retaliation or other adverse action for reporting violations. Lawsuits must begin within two years after the alleged harm. Courts can order violations stopped and award damages, including for psychological, emotional, or physical harm. Winning plaintiffs are entitled to reasonable attorney's fees, court costs, and litigation expenses.

College violations put student aid at risk

Covered colleges or governing bodies that violate the college athletic rules are subject to withholding of state funding. Withholding can include money paid directly to institutions or governing bodies. It can also include student scholarships, loans, and grants covered by the affected state-law chapter. The law sets no amount or formula for the money withheld.

College athletes face sex-based team limits

Covered colleges must adopt policies labeling intercollegiate teams male or female. In covered Georgia competitions, males cannot compete on female teams. Females can compete on male teams only when no corresponding female team is offered or available. Nonstate colleges are covered only when competing in Georgia against a Georgia state school, not exclusively against other nonstate colleges. The law does not authorize visual inspections of external sex organs to check eligibility; medical records and standard school medical procedures remain allowed.

College athletes get sex-separated competition facilities

At covered Georgia college competitions, shared restrooms, changing areas, and sleeping quarters must be designated male or female. Covered colleges must provide comparable facilities and reasonable accommodations, which may include single-occupancy spaces. Accommodations cannot allow opposite-sex access while members of that sex are or may be present. Covered entities cannot host, sponsor, or join Georgia college competitions allowing males on female teams or in female-designated facilities. Exceptions allow opposite-sex restroom or changing-area entry for authorized maintenance, inspections, emergency medical help, or an ongoing emergency.

College practice access has scholarship limits

Covered colleges cannot award males athletic scholarships allocated to, associated with, or intended for female team members. Males may take part in female-team practices, exhibitions, and scrimmages, but cannot receive scholarships for that participation. This permission does not allow them to compete on female teams.

School athletes get sex-separated trip facilities

For covered school competitions, shared restrooms, changing areas, and sleeping quarters must be designated male or female, with comparable facilities. Schools must offer reasonable accommodations, but these cannot allow opposite-sex access while members of that sex are or may be present. Schools cannot enter competitions that permit prohibited facility access. Listed entry exceptions cover maintenance, inspections, emergencies, minors accompanied by parents or guardians, and authorized coaches' or trainers' duties. On covered overnight competition trips, public school students must room with same-sex students or have single-occupancy quarters. Opposite-sex room sharing is allowed with immediate family members.

Sex-based team rules for school athletes

Covered schools must label teams male, female, or coed, using biological sex rather than self-identification. Males cannot compete on female teams. Females can compete on male teams only when no corresponding female team is offered or available. Any student can compete on a coed team. Schools may use medical records or standard school medical procedures to verify sex, but not separate visual inspections of external sex organs. The athletic association must follow these rules when organizing, approving, scheduling, or setting rules for public high school events.

Public schools must support equal sports opportunities

Public schools running interscholastic or intramural teams must make all reasonable efforts to provide equal athletic opportunities for both sexes. Reviews cover sports and competition levels, equipment, schedules, travel, coaching, tutoring, staff assignments and pay, facilities, medical services, and publicity. Unequal spending alone does not prove a violation, but missing essential operating funds can count. Schools may offer separate teams for skill, fairness, safety, or contact sports, but need not create them. Schools may also group physical education students by sex; the law does not require this.

Schools must offer some scholarship-linked sports

A public school sponsoring a similar sport must also offer the sport tied to a University System of Georgia athletic scholarship. A Department of Education-approved student survey showing too little interest allows an exemption for up to 24 months. A later survey showing enough interest requires the school to offer the sport the next school year. Nine students can request a survey, but surveys cannot occur more than once every 12 months. Schools may offer both similar sports at the same time.

Students get sports complaint deadlines

Each covered entity must name a compliance employee, investigate complaints, and annually share that employee's contact information with students. It must publish procedures for written complaints about actual or expected violations and issue a written decision within 30 days. A harmed student, parent, or guardian can request expedited review; an actual or reasonably likely violation requires an immediate preliminary decision. The employee may order the conduct stopped while the case continues, and decision copies are due within two business days. Appeals to the local board or governing body are due within 35 days, with a written ruling within 35 days after receipt. Further appeal to the State Board of Education is authorized.

School violations risk postseason and funding penalties

State enforcement covers public schools as well as local school systems, including corrective plans and possible postseason bans. A postseason ban must be ordered and announced before the school year starts. After up to one year to comply, continued willful noncompliance within four years of a State Board order can trigger further penalties. Following the required review and later findings, these include certification to the Department of Community Affairs and withholding state school funds. Withholding continues until compliance is confirmed.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Cosponsors

Josh Bonner
Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 242 • No: 237

Senate vote • 3/31/2025

AGREE TO HOUSE SUBSTITUTE AS AMENDED

Yes: 17 • No: 37 • Other: 1

Senate vote • 3/31/2025

AGREE TO HOUSE SUBSTITUTE

Yes: 34 • No: 20 • Other: 1

House vote • 3/31/2025

PASSAGE

Yes: 100 • No: 64 • Other: 5

Senate vote • 2/6/2025

ADOPTION OF AMENDMENT #3 BY THE SENATOR FROM THE 44TH

Yes: 19 • No: 33

Senate vote • 2/6/2025

ADOPTION OF AMENDMENT #2 BY THE SENATOR FROM THE 41ST

Yes: 18 • No: 34

Senate vote • 2/6/2025

PASSAGE BY SUBSTITUTE

Yes: 35 • No: 17

Senate vote • 2/6/2025

ADOPTION OF AMENDMENT #1 BY THE SENATOR FROM THE 22ND

Yes: 19 • No: 32 • Other: 1

Actions Timeline

Effective Date
7/1/2025
Senate Date Signed by Governor
4/28/2025Senate
Act 11
4/28/2025
Senate Sent to Governor
4/7/2025Senate
House Third Readers
3/31/2025House
House Passed/Adopted By Substitute
3/31/2025House
Senate Agreed House Amend or Sub
3/31/2025Senate
House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute
3/25/2025House
House Second Readers
2/11/2025House
House First Readers
2/10/2025House
Senate Third Read
2/6/2025Senate
Senate Passed/Adopted By Substitute
2/6/2025Senate
Senate Read Second Time
2/4/2025Senate
Senate Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute
2/3/2025Senate
Senate Read and Referred
1/14/2025Senate
Senate Hopper
1/13/2025Senate

Bill Text

SB 1/AP* (v16)
PDF

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Back to State Legislation

'Fair and Safe Athletic Opportunities Act'; enact

How does this bill affect your finances?

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

Medium Impact

Harmed student athletes can seek damages

College violations put student aid at risk

College athletes face sex-based team limits

College athletes get sex-separated competition facilities

College practice access has scholarship limits

School athletes get sex-separated trip facilities

Sex-based team rules for school athletes

Low Impact

Public schools must support equal sports opportunities

Schools must offer some scholarship-linked sports

Students get sports complaint deadlines

School violations risk postseason and funding penalties

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

Cosponsors

Roll Call Votes

Actions Timeline

Bill Text

Related Bills