May 13, 2026
Mr. Arrington (for himself, Mr. Downing, Mr. McCormick, Mr. Fulcher, Mr. Smith of New Jersey, Mr. Bost, Ms. Tenney, Mrs. Biggs of South Carolina, Mr. Moore of Alabama, Mr. Rulli, Mr. Steube, Mr. Pfluger, Mr. Stauber, Mr. Carter of Georgia, Mr. Simpson, Mr. Massie, Mr. Babin, Mrs. Harshbarger, Mr. Moore of West Virginia, Mr. Smith of Nebraska, Mr. McDowell, Mrs. Fedorchak, and Mr. Mann) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce
To clarify that for purposes of Federal nondiscrimination requirements applicable to education programs or activities receiving Federal financial assistance, discrimination prohibited under title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 is based on the biological reality of sex.
Section 1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the Title IX Clarification Act of 2026
.
Sec. 2. Amendments
Section 901(c) of the Education Amendments of 1972 (20 U.S.C. 1681(c)) is amended—
(1)
by striking title an educational institution
and inserting the following:
title—
(1)
the term
educational institution,
(2)
by striking the period at the end and inserting a semicolon, and
(3)
by adding at the end the following:
(2)
the term
sexrefers to an individual’s biologically determined sex, as either male or female;(3)
the term
female, when used with respect to a natural person, means an individual who naturally has, had, will have, or would have, but for a congenital anomaly, historical accident, or intentional or unintentional disruption, the reproductive system that at some point produces, transports, and utilizes the large gamete (ova) for fertilization; and(4)
the term
male, when used with respect to a natural person, means an individual who naturally has, had, will have, or would have, but for a congenital anomaly, historical accident, or intentional or unintentional disruption, the reproductive system that at some point produces, transports, and utilizes the small gamete (sperm) for fertilization.
Sec. 3. Effective date; application of amendments
(a) Effective date
Except as provided in subsection (b), this Act and the amendments made by this Act shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act.
(b) Application of amendments
The amendments made by this Act shall apply with respect to education programs and activities for which Federal financial assistance is received on or after the date of the enactment of this Act.