HB1242Introduced in the House of Delegates
K-12 schools and institutions of higher education; student participation in women's sports, etc.
Introduced by Delores Oates, District 31
What does this bill do?
Plain-English breakdown
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Official description
K-12 schools and institutions of higher education; student participation in women's sports; civil cause of action. Requires each interscholastic, intercollegiate, intramural, or club athletic team or sport sponsored by a public school, or any other school that is a member of the Virginia High School League, or by a public institution of higher education to be expressly designated as one of the following based on the biological sex of the students who participate on the team or in the sport: (i) for males, men, or boys; (ii) for females, women, or girls; or (iii) for coed or mixed if participation on such team or sport is open to both males and females. The bill requires that the biological sex of any student seeking to participate on such an expressly designated team be affirmed by a signed physician's statement. The bill prohibits any such team or sport that is expressly designated for females from being open to students whose biological sex is male. The bill prohibits any government entity, licensing or accrediting organization, or athletic association or organization from entertaining a complaint, opening an investigation, or taking any other adverse action against any such school or institution of higher education for adhering to the provisions of the bill and creates a cause of action for any school or institution of higher education that suffers harm as a result of a violation of the bill. Finally, the bill creates a civil cause of action for any student who suffers harm as a result of a knowing violation of a provision of the bill by a school or institution or as a result of the student's reporting a violation of a provision of the bill by a school, institution, athletic association, or organization.
Where it stands
Left in Education
February 18, 2026
How did lawmakers vote?
House of DelegatesStage: Subcommittee recommends laying on the table (7-Y 3-N) · February 10, 2026
7
Yes
3
No
1
Absent or Not Voting
11 delegates recorded in this House of Delegates vote. Colors show vote categories only, not whether a vote was good or bad.
What do people think?
Citizen Voice
How would you vote on this bill?
An unofficial public opinion poll. It does not affect the bill or the official vote.
One response per device. Location is self-reported and not verified. Results are informal and not a scientific survey.
See how each delegate voted
| Delegate | District | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| Gretchen Bulova | 11 | Yes |
| Sam Rasoul | 38 | Yes |
| Hillary Pugh Kent | 67 | No |
| Shelly Simonds | 70 | Yes |
| Jessica Anderson | 71 | Yes |
| Mike Cherry | 74 | No |
| Lindsey Dougherty | 75 | Absent |
| Rae Cousins | 79 | Yes |
| Destiny LeVere Bolling | 80 | Yes |
| Alex Askew | 95 | Yes |
Bill history
Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26102027D
Referred to Committee on Education
Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB1242)
Assigned HED sub: K-12 Subcommittee
Subcommittee recommends laying on the table (7-Y 3-N)
Left in Education
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