Measure Voiding Transgender Athlete Policy Passes Committee

PIERRE, S.D. (AP) — A bill that would void an activities association policy allowing transgender students to request to play on the athletic team of their choice is headed to the House floor.

The House State Affairs Committee voted Wednesday to approve the bill.

Republican Representative Roger Hunt's measure would require the Legislature's consent for any future South Dakota High School Activities Association transgender policy.

Dale Bartscher lobbies for conservative group Family Heritage Alliance Action. He says the association's policy unleashed a "firestorm" on the state and says it's time to void the policy and start over.

Libby Skarin is policy director at the American Civil Liberties Union of South Dakota. She says the bill places another barrier in front of transgender kids.

Efforts to block the policy last session stalled in the Senate.

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