Sen. Beth Mizell (R) District 12
Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell is once again attempting to pass her “Fairness in Women’s Sports Act,” after last year’s legislative effort forced the first veto session in modern history. House Bill 44 prohibits a female sports team from allowing students who are not biologically female to participate.
“Nobody and I think the governor didn’t either, saw what the sentiment was going to be behind the support of this bill,” said Mizell.
Governor Edwards said he vetoed the bill because it was mean-spirited and searching for a problem that doesn’t exist. The override attempt won Senate approval but fell two votes short of a two-thirds majority in the House.
Mizell said the bill filed for the 2022 session adds verification of sex by using one’s birth certificate which lists one’s gender at or near birth.
Mizell said the intent of her bill is to protect women’s sports.
“Somehow that got turned into an anti-bill rather than it was a pro-women’s sports bill,” said Mizell.
Since last year’s session, Lia Thomas a transgender woman who previously competed on the University of Pennsylvania’s men’s swim team has now set new records in the sport for females. Mizell said this changes the narrative from last year’s debate and even more states are considering such legislation.
“I think it’s going to be interesting to watch because the headlines have kind of amplified everything that we had argued about last year during the debate,” said Mizell.
Ten states have similar laws, which include the surrounding states of Texas, Mississippi, and Arkansas. The 2022 legislative session begins on March 14th.
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