Riley Gaines Act

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 7368 Introduced in House (IH)]

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119th CONGRESS
  2d Session
                                H. R. 7368

To authorize civil actions against institutions of higher education and 
     athletic associations that negligently or recklessly permit a 
biologically male student athlete to compete in an athletic competition 
  intended exclusively for female student athletes, resulting in harm.


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                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                            February 4, 2026

 Mr. McGuire introduced the following bill; which was referred to the 
                       Committee on the Judiciary

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                                 A BILL


 
To authorize civil actions against institutions of higher education and 
     athletic associations that negligently or recklessly permit a 
biologically male student athlete to compete in an athletic competition 
  intended exclusively for female student athletes, resulting in harm.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Riley Gaines Act''.

SEC. 2. CIVIL ACTION FOR HARM CAUSED BY BIOLOGICAL MEN IN FEMALE 
              ATHLETIC COMPETITIONS.

    (a) In General.--If an institution of higher education or an 
athletic association negligently or recklessly permits a biologically 
male student athlete to compete in an athletic competition intended 
exclusively for female student athletes and a female student athlete is 
physically injured due to the inherent physiological advantages of the 
biologically male student athlete, such female student athlete may 
bring a civil action for damages (including the value of the loss of a 
scholarship or professional opportunity) in any Federal district court 
of appropriate jurisdiction against such institution or athletic 
association.
    (b) Attorney's Fees for Plaintiff.--The court shall award a 
reasonable attorney's fee to a prevailing plaintiff in a civil action 
under this section.
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