Rep. Donovan Votes to Protect Children and Fairness in Sports

Madison – Representative Bob Donovan (R-Greenfield) gave the following statement after the Assembly passed common-sense legislation protecting children. These bills implement needed safeguards for our children and young people to prohibit irreversible medical interventions and preserve the fairness in sports.

Assembly Bill 104 prohibits health care providers from providing or referring life-altering medical intervention in the form of gender transition procedures. Providers who violate this legislation would have their licensure revoked, unless there are certifiable medical conditions that require the treatments. “I am disappointed that common sense has fallen so far in our society,” said Rep. Donovan. “Children cannot consent to these harmful procedures that have life-altering consequences. History will not look kindly on us if we continue down this harmful path.”

Assembly Bill 100 and 102 both ensure that athletes compete on the appropriate team and prohibit males from participating on a female sports team or using female locker rooms. “Times change, but biology still remains,” said Rep. Donovan. “Protecting our girls who play sports and ensuring they are treated fairly should not be controversial. They deserve to compete fairly. They deserve to win.”

Other bills that passed would require school boards to adopt policies on student names and pronouns, as well as legislation that requires age verification for explicit, harmful, or obscene materials. These bills now go to the Senate for deliberation before being sent to the Governor for his signature.