RENTON, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – New rules for transgender athletes could be among the major changes coming to high school sports in Washington next year.
The Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA) recently released a list of 16 proposed amendments to its handbook for 2025.
Among them is a new rule that would limit participation in girls’ sports to students who were assigned female at birth. The Lynden, Lynden Christian and Blaine school districts were among those who submitted the proposed amendment.
It would replace the WIAA’s previous rule, which allows all students to play in a way that’s consistent with their “gender identity or the gender most consistently expressed.”
Meanwhile, a separate proposal would offer an athletic program outside of “boys and girls” that would be an open division for those who identify as transgender or nonbinary.
Another proposed amendment would redefine the transfer period and process, making it potentially easier for students to transfer between schools. It would allow students to transfer once without their family physically relocating, but at the same time, aims to discourage multiple transfers by the same student.
The amendments also include more stringent rules to reduce arm injuries in baseball and softball, including harsher penalties for coaches who violate pitch count limits, and the addition of girl’s flag football as an official high school sport.
Each amendment will be discussed and finalized on Jan. 27. The WIAA Representative Assembly will vote on the proposed amendments starting on April 9.
