S. 5179Senate119th Congress (2025-2027)In Committee

Title IX Clarification Act of 2026

Introduced July 30, 2026

AI-Generated Summary

Updated August 4, 2026 at 6:24 AM UTC

The Title IX Clarification Act of 2026 amends the federal definition of "sex" in Title IX to state that it refers to an individual's biologically determined sex—male or female. By adding specific biological definitions of male and female, the bill aims to ensure that nondiscrimination requirements for education programs receiving federal funds are applied based on biological sex. This change would affect all schools, colleges, and other educational institutions that receive federal financial assistance.

Key Provisions

  • Amends Section 901(c) of the Education Amendments of 1972 to define "sex" as an individual's biologically determined sex, either male or female.
  • Provides detailed biological definitions for "female" (individuals with reproductive systems that produce ova) and "male" (individuals with reproductive systems that produce sperm).
  • The amendments take effect on the date of enactment and apply to any education program or activity receiving federal assistance after that date.

Legislative Activity

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SenateIntro Referral Latest Action

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

July 30, 2026

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SenateIntro Referral

Introduced in Senate

July 30, 2026

SenateIntro Referral

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

July 30, 2026

Bill Text

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Introduced in SenateIssued July 30, 2026

II

119th CONGRESS

2d Session

S. 5179

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

July 30, 2026

Mrs. Blackburn (for herself, Mr. Justice, Mrs. Britt, Mr. Budd, Mr. Risch, Mr. Crapo, Ms. Lummis, Mr. Scott of Florida, Mr. Ricketts, Mr. Daines, and Mr. Sheehy) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

A BILL

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.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Title IX Clarification Act of 2026.

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 sex refers 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.

.

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 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 enactment of this Act.