STATEHOUSE (May 24, 2022) – State Reps. Stephen Bartels (R-Eckerty) and Shane Lindauer (R-Jasper) today joined the majority of Indiana's lawmakers in successfully overriding the governor's veto of legislation protecting the integrity of girls' sports.
House and Senate legislators voted on Tuesday at the Statehouse to override the governor's veto of House Enrolled Act 1041, which prohibits biological males from competing in K-12 girls' sports in Indiana. The vote came as part of technical corrections day, where lawmakers can take up any vetoes and fix technical errors in laws passed during the prior session.
"Young women have fought hard for the same opportunities as men, and it's only right to protect the integrity of girls' sports in Indiana," Bartels said. "Overriding this veto was important so we can prevent unfair competition throughout our state."
Indiana will join at least 16 other states that have similar laws on the books protecting female sports. Lindauer said concerned parents reached out after an increasing number of biological males have dominated the national spotlight in girls' athletic events across the nation.
"Female athletes work hard to win titles and earn scholarships, and shouldn't watch from the sidelines because a biological male took their playing time," Lindauer said. "This is about fairness, and overriding the veto was the right thing to do."
There are certain biological differences that give males an unfair advantage over females in sports, like greater muscle mass, bone density and cardio capacity. Lindauer said the vote Tuesday was especially important as June marks the 50th anniversary of Title IX, which ensures women have an equal opportunity to play and compete in sports.
In Indiana, a gubernatorial veto can be overridden with a constitutional majority vote in both chambers, and the bill becomes a law without the governor's signature. For more information about House Enrolled Act 1041, effective on July 1, 2022, visit iga.in.gov.
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State Rep. Stephen Bartels (R-Eckerty) represents House District 74,
which includes portions of Spencer, Dubois, Perry, Crawford and Orange counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
State Rep. Shane Lindauer (R-Jasper) represents House District 63,
which includes portions of Daviess, Dubois, Pike and Martin counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
