AUSTIN, Texas – Gov. Greg Abbott signed a measure into law on Thursday that “protects women’s sports.”
Abbott was accompanied by bill authors and sponsors, female athletes and other women’s sports advocates, according to a press release.
SB 15 would prohibit transgender athletes from competing on college teams that match their gender identity, the Texas Tribune reports.
The measure was approved by the Senate on May 26.
“The Save Women’s Sports Act protects young women at Texas colleges and universities by prohibiting men from competing on a team or as an individual against them in college sports,” Abbott said at the bill’s signing.
Abbott signed similar legislation in 2021 based on girls’ sports in Texas public schools.
“The bill also creates a mechanism for people to seek injunctive relief against a Texas public college or university or intercollegiate athletic team if it violates the provisions of the bill,” according to the bill’s language.
LGBTQ+ advocates have joined forces to rally against the bill, which is one of several that could bring significant changes to the lives of gay and transgender people in Texas.
SB 15 will take effect on Sept. 1, 2023.