Supreme Court Hearings, Federal Investigations, and State Legislation
On August 5, 2025, Keystone Fair Business Partners reported on the history of Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, recent controversies about it, and PA legislative actions to affirm women’s rights in the commonwealth. The article can be found here.
The issue of transgender athletes in female sports continues to be controversial across the nation, within Pennsylvania, and even locally. In this article, we will update you on the recent Supreme Court hearings, federal investigations, and state legislation.
U. S. Supreme Court Hearing
On Tuesday, January 13, 2026, the U.S. Supreme Court (USSC) heard oral arguments regarding the legality of state laws which ban transgender athletes from female sports. Two cases were heard by the USSC: West Virginia v. B.J.P. and Little v. Hecox, which involved the West Virginia and Idaho state laws protecting biological girls and women in sports. The court must decide if the Title IX non-discrimination protections of women refer to biological females or anyone who identifies as the female gender. They must weigh that in consideration of the 14th Amendment’s Equal Protection Clause.
In 1974 the Javits Amendment to Title IX allowed for sex-separated sports in public schools, colleges, and universities. There is agreement among constitutional scholars, and even the plaintiffs in these cases, that this amendment does NOT violate the Equal Protection Clause.
Add to the mix of arguments that the USSC in 2020 ruled that transgenders are protected against discrimination in the workplace under Title VII. However, the justices in their questioning of the West Virginia and Idaho cases seemed to see a distinction between workplace protections and sports protections.
A decision as to the legality of state laws protecting biological females in sports is expected by the USSC in June.
Local School District Investigation
On January 14, 2026, the U. S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights announced that it initiated investigations into 18 school districts across 10 states for violating Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. One of those school districts being reviewed for violating protections afforded girls is in the heart of Chester County – the Great Valley School District.
Former Great Valley School Board President Bruce Chambers filed a federal civil rights complaint with the Department of Education in May 2025. He informed the Great Valley School District for five months that its transgender policy was violating Title IX and President Trump’s Executive Order 14168, “Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government.” However, the school district refused to change its policy, so Mr. Chambers took action. Currently, students may use bathrooms, locker rooms, and participate in sports according to the gender by which they identify.
Although there is no time-frame for the conclusion of the federal investigation, we are encouraged that this matter is being taken seriously by the Department of Education. It is frustrating that the current Great Valley School Board Directors seem more interested in catering to a very small fraction of students, rather than protecting close to half the student body.
PA Save Women’s Sports Act Status
Although the Save Women’s Sports Act passed the PA Senate on May 6, 2025 with bipartisan support by a vote of 32-18, it has been sitting in various committees in the PA State House without coming to a full vote. Rep. Barb Gleim of the 199th Legislative District is the prime sponsor of PA House Bill 158 and is frustrated that the bill has been buried in committee.
Perhaps the PA State House is waiting to hold a vote on the bill until the USSC decides if such laws are constitutional. We’re sure that’s it!
However, Governor Josh Shapiro has called supporters of the legislation “extremists,” which undoubtedly means that he will veto the bill if it ever gets to his desk.
Bottom line…
Twenty-seven states enacted laws protecting biological girls from competing against biological boys who identify as the female gender. Pennsylvania is not one of them. Is it not common sense that a male’s body simply has characteristics, i.e. larger lung capacity, greater muscle mass, etc. that would make him physically stronger and faster than a female? When did our society, our legislators, and our schools put political correctness over common sense? Why must our girls suffer as a result? What can we do?
Call your PA House Representative! Demand they bring the Save Women’s Sports Act to a vote. Elect representatives this year who will bring common sense back to the State House.
Contact your local school board to be sure they are using your tax dollars wisely as they uphold Title IX to protect our girls.
Pray that the USSC decides to uphold the state laws protecting female athletes.
As the Constitutional Convention ended in 1787, Benjamin Franklin was asked if the delegates produced a monarchy or a republic. Franklin replied, “A republic, if you can keep it.”
We are trying to keep this republic that we love and hold our representatives accountable to the people. Join us in that mission and share this Update with your contacts!
