Indiana lawmakers are looking to go the extra mile in their efforts to keep biological male athletes in boys’ and men’s sports.

The state’s current law, introduced in 2022, prohibits those born male at birth from playing against girls from kindergarten through high school. This week, Republican lawmakers Michelle Davis, Chris Jeter, Joanna King, and Robert Heaton filed a bill that would expand the ban to college teams.

“To ensure a level playing field, it’s important that girls compete against girls, and boys against boys,” Davis wrote in a statement to the Indy Star. “As a mother and legislator, I authored this bill because I’ve heard directly from Hoosier parents who want to ensure female athletes have a fair shot at competing and earning recognition.”

Indianapolis, the state’s capital, is also where the NCAA’s headquarters are located. 

The law would also require out-of-state teams with a transgender athlete to notify their opposing Indiana school of said athlete at least 60 days in advance. Athletes will also be able to file lawsuits against their school if they feel they had an opportunity taken from them or were injured as a result of a potential violation of the law.

Jeter, one of the co-authors, said the bill is intended to “protect women’s sports in Indiana.”

Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb vetoed the original bill nearly three years ago, but the Indiana General Assembly overturned that decision. Holcomb, a Republican, is leaving office later this month due to term limits, and fellow Republican Mike Braun will succeed him.

Two months after Holcomb vetoed the bill, a federal judge in the state ruled that a transgender student must be allowed to use the boys’ restroom at a middle school in the state.

Transgender athlete supporter Kyle Harp, left, of Riverside holds the progress pride flag as “Save Girls Sports” supporters Lori Lopez and her dad Pete Pickering, both of Riverside, listen to the debate as they join the overflow crowd converging outside the Riverside Unified School District meeting Thursday night to debate the rights of transgender athletes to compete in high school sports, Thursday, Dec. 19, 2024.  (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

BROTHER OF EX-COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYER KILLED IN NEW ORLEANS TERROR ATTACK LEADS TRIBUTES

Last month, NCAA president Charlie Baker sent a message to women’s college athletes who are uncomfortable sharing locker rooms with transgender athletes, putting the responsibility for their own safety squarely on the women themselves.

During a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing over legalized sports gambling, Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., questioned Baker about the NCAA’s policies that have allowed trans athletes to compete on women’s teams. Hawley confronted Baker about the NCAA policy stating that “transgender student athletes should be able to use the locker room, shower and toilet facilities in accordance with their gender identity.” 

Baker, the former Republican governor of Massachusetts, responded by insisting other athletes have the option to find other accommodations if they are uncomfortable with it. 

President of the NCAA, Charlie Baker speaks during a press conference celebrating the 25-year anniversary of the NCAA moving its national office to Indianapolis on Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2024, at the NCAA Headquarters in Indianapolis. (Michelle Pemberton/IndyStar / USA Today Network)

The NCAA saw a controversy that swept the nation, as trans volleyball player Blaire Fleming helped San Jose State University to the Mountain West championship match.

Fox News’ Jackson Thompson contributed to this report.

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

The Detroit Lions waived wide receiver Tom Kennedy on Thursday and re-signed defensive back Morice Norris to the practice squad after waiving him earlier in the week. Detroit opens a spot on the active roster by waiving Kennedy, which could be used to reinstate Kalif Raymond if he’s able to return from injured reserve.

Detroit is also getting linebacker Alex Anzalone back into the mix ahead of a Week 18 matchup with the Minnesota Vikings.

Anzalone is in the midst of his return-to-play window after a stint on injured reserve, and was a full participant in Thursday’s practice. During the portion of practice open to the media, Anzalone was observed wearing a cast on his injured forearm.

Should Anzalone be deemed ready to play on Sunday, the Lions would welcome his presence. As a veteran who has been reliable and possesses a calm demeanor, the Florida product’s return would be exciting for defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn’s group.

Because of several injuries to the linebacking corps, the group has been targeted in play-action more often as of late. Glenn noted that it was similar to teams testing their secondary before the group fully gelled and had success.

“I think (Lions CB Terrion Arnold) TA early on, he was getting targeted a lot, then he started improving, really. So, I don’t think his targets are actually up to where they were early in the season,” Glenn said. “Amik (Robertson)’s always been a dog. He’s always been a guy that’s been really good in coverage, and I just think at some point they would be like, ‘OK well, who am I going to go at?’ And then they start going at the tight ends. And I can just tell you totally, is it a matchup problem or whatnot. I do know that our guys do a good job in the coverage area when it comes to man coverage. We just have to continue to improve on some of the explosive plays and some of the mistakes as far as switching off on guys and making sure that we don’t have anybody running wide open.”

Dan Campbell said Wednesday that Thursday’s practice would be a big one for Anzalone, as it would allow the staff to observe what he’s able to do within certain drills.

“But listen, I’m looking forward to getting him back out there,” Glenn said. “I can’t say if he’ll be out there this week. He’s getting himself back acclimated to how we do things in practice, and so hopefully we’ll get him back really soon.”

Lions Week 18 Thursday injury report

David Montgomery — NP (Knee)
Christian Mahogany — NP (Illness)
Emmanuel Moseley — NP (Illness)
Alex Anzalone — FP (Forearm)
Jack Campbell — FP (Rib)
Amik Robertson — FP (Calf)
Kalif Raymond — FP (Foot)

MILWAUKEE – A Milwaukee man is criminally charged in a shooting that killed a 14-year-old boy on Saturday, Dec. 28.

Prosecutors said 19-year-old Rahshad Bates told police he was handling a gun when it went off, and he “accidentally shot his friend” while they 

SIGN UP TODAY: Get daily headlines, breaking news emails from FOX6 News

The shooting happened near 21st and Concordia. Officers were called to the scene around 9:15 p.m.

A criminal complaint states a group of people was with the 14-year-old victim, and they flagged down officers when they arrived at the scene. Bates was with the group and was seen “pacing around inside, looking out the windows” of a home after first responders began tending to the victim.

Shooting at 21st and Concordia, Milwaukee

The medical examiner’s office said the victim, Bryant Triplett, died at a hospital.

Bates spoke to police at the scene. He said he and the victim were walking dogs in the alley when “some unknown person shot a gun at them for unknown reasons,” per the complaint. Later, Bates told a detective the same story – but eventually admitted he had a gun and “accidentally shot his friend.”

FREE DOWNLOAD: Get breaking news alerts in the FOX6 News app for iOS or Android.

Specifically, court filings said Bates had the gun tucked under his armpit and started to empty the gun. He had his finger on the trigger when he pulled the slide back, and the gun accidentally went off. He then, with help, carried the victim back to the house. He said he tossed the gun, but the weapon was not found.

In court

Bates is charged with one felony count: homicide by negligent handling of a dangerous weapon. Court records show Bates’ bond was set at $2,500.