Missouri House Gives Initial Approval Allowing Local Elections on Transgender Sports

The Missouri House voted Wednesday to allow local elections on banning transgender students from competing on girls sports teams in Grades K through 12.

House members voted 89-40 to add the provision to an elections bill

Under the amendment from Representative Chuck Bayse, public school boards and administrators could call elections on the issue.

House Democrats argued there have not been any issues with transgender students playing on sports teams in Missouri.

The state’s current public high school sports rules already prohibit transgender girls from competing on girls teams unless they’re undergoing hormone therapy.

The Missouri State High School Activities Association says two transgender girls have been approved to play on girls teams in Missouri in the past decade.

The bill still needs another vote in the House before heading to the Missouri Senate.