The Virginia Board of Health has approved a petition to initiate rulemaking that would restrict biological males from participating in female-only sports teams and using spaces designated for females, such as bathrooms and locker rooms. This decision was made on Monday during a board meeting where all 14 present members voted in favor of the petition. One member was absent.
The petition, submitted by three female athletes—Réka György, Lily Mullens, and Carter Satterfield—urges the board to amend regulations within 12 VAC 5. They argue that allowing biological males to compete in female sports or access female-only spaces poses both physical and psychological harm to women and girls.
Maria Reppas, Director of Communications for the Virginia Department of Health, said that the board’s decision was based on a thorough evaluation of the petition’s merits concerning Virginia’s health needs. She explained that the next step involves drafting a Notice of Intended Regulatory Action (NOIRA) for future consideration by the board.
The standard rulemaking process is expected to take between 18 and 24 months. Each stage will include a public comment period following executive branch review and publication in the Virginia Register of Regulations. The first stage involves issuing a NOIRA. During the second stage, staff will collaborate with legal counsel to develop draft language for board approval. The final stage includes another public comment period before any regulation becomes effective.
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