Generally, the bill prohibits school athletic programs from allowing individuals whose biological sex at birth was male to participate in programs that are for women or girls.

Specifically, the bill provides that it is a violation of Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 for federally funded education programs or activities to operate, sponsor, or facilitate athletic programs or activities that allow individuals of the male sex to participate in programs or activities that are designated for women or girls. (Title IX prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in federally funded education programs or activities.) Under the bill, sex is based on an individual's reproductive biology and genetics at birth.

The bill does not prohibit male individuals from training or practicing with programs or activities for women or girls as long as such training or practice does not deprive any female of corresponding opportunities or benefits.

“Allowing biological males to participate in women’s sports is a complete affront to the hardworking women and girls who have spent their lives training to achieve their dreams. It’s simple: biological males have no place in women’s sports,” said Rep. Steube. “Last Spring, Sarasota’s own, Emma Weyant, was robbed of her NCAA Championship in the 500 Freestyle by a biological male, Lia Thomas. Floridians and Americans across the country are rightly outraged at what has become of women’s sports. We’ve seen time and time again how the far left only favors fairness when it aligns with their woke agenda. That’s why today, I’m pleased to reintroduce legislation that ensures women and girls a fair playing field in competitive sports.”

“Biological males should not be able to compete against biological females period. I stand with Emma Weyant and all female athletes who deserve equal opportunity in joining teams, setting records, and earning scholarships,” said Rep. Tom Rice (R-SC). 

“I refuse to sacrifice the safety of girls and women on the field and in the locker room to the woke Left. The Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act of 2023 will restore the safety, privacy, and opportunities of women and girls in sports. Our nation passed Title IX 50 years ago to give women equal access to education and athletic opportunities. This revolutionized women’s sports. Moving backward is not an option. We must honor the original intent of Title IX,” said Education and the Workforce Committee Chairwoman Virginia Foxx (R-NC).

argue this bill is a solution in search of a problem. They say the idea that someone will be robbed of a scholarship by a trans athlete isn’t accurate since they are closer to female than male due to hormone therapies.  House Republican lawmakers introduced legislation that needlessly scapegoats some of our most vulnerable students as the cause of inequity in athletics. Athletes, advocates, and experts agree that the inclusion of transgender athletes in women’s sports is not a threat to the survival or success of women’s sports.

"...The majority has chosen to use our first markup to advance a political agenda by politicizing students’ education and scapegoating some of our most vulnerable students as the cause of inequity in athletics," said Rep. Robert Scott (D-VA)

“H.R. 734, the so-called “Protecting Women and Girls in Sports Act,” is just one example of this extreme agenda.  Transgender youth are a tiny fraction of the youth population in this country, and an even smaller fraction of youth in athletics.  In fact, there are only 34 documented instances of out trans athletes competing at the collegiate level.  That is actually fewer than the number of Members on this committee.  It is ludicrous to suggest that such a handful of athletes—who pose no evidentiary threat—justifies national Congressional action.

“School sports should be welcoming for all students and serve as an opportunity for student development.  As such, we should be doing everything we can to eliminate the barriers students’ face to participating in school sports and address the real issues facing student athletes, including unequal pay, sexual abuse, and a lack of resources.  To that end, Democrats will introduce several amendments to ensure that every student who wants to play in school sports has a fair and equal opportunity to do so."