Proposal to limit transgender athletes' participation in sports blocked in Washington state

Washington state’s governing body for middle and high school athletics has determined that its proposed rule changes for transgender student athletes would violate state law.

The Washington Interscholastic Activities Association has been considering two proposed rule amendments: One that would prohibit trans girls from competing in girls sports, and another that would create a third open division for trans students to compete in instead.

The WIAA Representative Assembly is expected to vote on these proposals — and 14 others — April 9-18. If passed, rule changes typically go into effect in August.

RELATED: Trans students could be banned from competing in girls’ sports in Washington state

But now, the amendments related to trans student athletes will be an “advisory vote only,” according to the WIAA website.

Sean Bessette, director of communications for WIAA, said Monday that a “legal review” has found the proposed rule changes conflict with state law — and unless the law changes, they can’t be implemented.

“The WIAA remains committed to following state law,” Bessette wrote in an email.

Since 2007, WIAA’s policy has allowed trans students to participate in sports programs consistent with their gender identity. At that time, it was one of the first policies of its kind in the nation.

But the issue has become increasingly controversial — and deeply political — in recent years, especially in light of President Donald Trump’s Feb. 5 executive order titled “Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports.” It bans transgender girls and women from participating in girls sports, and directs the federal government to withhold funding from educational institutions that don’t comply.

RELATED: How will Trump’s ban on trans athletes in girls’ sports impact Washington state?

In response, WIAA said it would wait to make any changes until it received further legal guidance.

State Superintendent Chris Reykdal called the order a federal overreach that “directly contradicts” state laws banning discrimination on the basis of gender identity. He advised districts to continue to follow existing guidance from his office, which says “schools are required to allow all students, including transgender and nonbinary students, the opportunity to participate on the interscholastic sports team that most closely aligns with their gender identity.”

RELATED: Transgender sports policies at heart of federal complaint from Washington school district

In a letter to WIAA executive director Mick Hoffman March 19 that was later forwarded to all superintendents, Reykdal reiterated that stance, writing that OSPI is “concerned” the proposed amendments would violate state laws.

“We have confidence that WIAA would not implement these amendments if they were to pass in their current form,” he wrote.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.