STATEHOUSE (April 3, 2025) – Legislation authored by State Rep. Michelle Davis (R-Whiteland) to protect women's sports at the collegiate level recently passed the Indiana Senate now goes to the governor for consideration as a new law.
"Ensuring fairness in collegiate sports is essential to protecting opportunities for female athletes," Davis said. "Biological differences impact athletic performance, and this bill helps maintain a level playing field. I'm grateful to my colleagues in the House and Senate for advancing this legislation. Indiana needs to remain a leader on this issue and continue standing up for female athletes."
House Enrolled Act 1041 would ensure that biological men cannot compete in female sports at the post-secondary level in the state of Indiana. This legislation aligns with an executive order at the federal level signed by President Donald Trump and the one at the state level signed by Gov. Mike Braun. Rep. Davis was invited to attend both signing ceremonies for her leadership on this issue. Her bill would codify this language into Indiana law.
Elle Patterson, a former San Jose State volleyball player, testified in support of the bill in both the House Education Committee and Senate Education and Career Development Committee hearings. She stated that she lost a volleyball scholarship to a biological male athlete and was required to share hotel rooms and locker rooms, while being unfairly compared in athletic performance.
Davis also authored House Enrolled Act 1041 during the 2022 legislative session, which prohibited biological men from participating in female sports in K-12 schools.
To learn more about the bill and follow session, visit iga.in.gov.
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State Rep. Michelle Davis (R-Whiteland) represents House District 58,
which includes a portion of Johnson County.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
