Why NASW-MI Opposes House Bill 4031

House Bill 4031, introduced in January 2025, would require that awards, rankings, and records in publicly funded individual sports be categorized based solely on an athlete's biological sex at conception. Social workers oppose this bill because it targets transgender and non-binary athletes, fostering exclusion, discrimination, and potential harm to young people in Michigan. This bill is the first of its kind in the U.S., setting a dangerous precedent by attempting to regulate how athletes are recognized, rather than addressing real concerns like fairness, safety, or inclusivity. Governing bodies and school districts already have the authority to establish participation rules that account for differences across age, sport, and level of competition. This bill strips them of that power and replaces it with a rigid, one-size-fits-all mandate.

Summary of House Bill 4031

House Bill 4031, also known as the "Female Athletics Integrity of Records (FAIR) Act," proposes that in publicly funded individual sporting events, official awards, rankings, and records must be determined by an athlete's biological sex at conception—regardless of the category in which they compete.

Key Provisions:

1. Definition of Biological Sex: The bill defines "biological sex" as an innate and objective biological condition established at conception.
2. Applicability: The bill applies to all publicly funded individual sports that have separate male and female categories.
3. Impact on Recognition: Even if a transgender athlete competes in a category aligned with their gender identity, their official records and recognitions would be altered to reflect their assigned sex at birth.

Impact on Athletes and Communities:

Unnecessary Political Interference in Sports
Schools and sports associations already create fair participation rules at different levels. This bill ignores their expertise, imposing a one-size-fits-all rule that doesn’t account for different ages, sports, or competition levels.

Encourages Harassment and Gender Policing
HB 4031 opens the door for questioning any girl’s gender if she doesn’t fit stereotypical expectations. We’ve already seen the harm of similar policies—like when a cisgender girl in Utah was falsely accused of being transgender and subjected to public scrutiny simply because of her athletic build. This bill creates more barriers for girls in sports, not fewer.

Undermines the Positive Impact of Sports Participation
Sports teach valuable lessons like teamwork, discipline, and perseverance. Instead of encouraging young people to participate, this bill subjects transgender athletes to exclusion and public scrutiny, making it harder for them to benefit from these opportunities.

Part of a Larger Effort to Restrict Trans Rights
This bill is not an isolated attack—it is part of a larger push to roll back protections for transgender people nationwide. Restricting participation in sports is just the first step toward efforts to limit access to gender-affirming care, public accommodations, and equal rights.

Social workers advocate for policies that promote equity, inclusion, and respect for all individuals. House Bill 4031 contradicts these principles by institutionalizing discrimination against transgender and non-binary athletes, thereby harming the social fabric of Michigan communities.