FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Monday, March 31, 2025

ATLANTA | Today, Senate Bill 1, the ‘Riley Gaines Act of 2025’, passed the Georgia General Assembly. SB 1, which would ban biological males from participating in women’s sports across Georgia, is a priority of Lt. Governor Burt Jones and House Speaker Jon Burns (R-Newington) for the 2025 Legislative Session. 

“Today, the Georgia General Assembly made a historic step toward achieving a critical goal for this session, the protection of women’s sports,” said Lt. Governor Burt Jones. “Since I took office in 2023 as Lt. Governor, the Senate has led the way to make protections for females competing in athletics on any level a reality. I had the honor of joining President Trump earlier this year when he signed an executive order ensuring these protections on the federal level, and I am proud that Georgia is leading the way on this effort. I want to thank all of the brave women and girls who shared their personal stories and helped shaped this legislation. Their courage is commendable and ensures that the rights of female athletes are preserved and protected by law. I look forward to standing with Governor Brian Kemp, Speaker Jon Burns, and female athletes with their families around the state when the ‘Riley Gaines Act of 2025’ is signed into law.”

“Today, the General Assembly sent a clear message—biological men are not welcome in girls’ sports or spaces here in Georgia,” said Speaker Jon Burns. “The House was proud to support this measure, which builds on prior protections championed by the House, that protects integrity and fairness for the millions of female athletes who compete across our state. We’re grateful for the support of our colleagues in the Senate who worked alongside us to restore much-needed common sense to athletic competition, and to Riley Gaines who lent us her name and support in the fight to protect Georgia’s athletes.”

Senate Bill 1, the ‘Riley Gaines Act of 2025,’ is based on legislative findings relating to the need to protect girls’ and women’s athletics and the work of the Senate Special Committee on the Protection of Women’s Sports, which Lt. Governor Jones created and appointed. By enacting Senate Bill 1, Georgia would join 26 other states that protect women’s sports. 

For the latest version of Senate Bill 1, the ‘Riley Gaines Act of 2025,’ please follow this link: https://www.legis.ga.gov/search?ch=2&d=1&ln=1&s=1033&p=1

Contact

Policy and Communications Director Ines Owens

[email protected]