Mary Felzkowski, Wisconsin State Senator for 12th District | Facebook
Mary Felzkowski, Wisconsin State Senator for 12th District | Facebook
According to the Wisconsin State Legislature's official website, the bill was described as follows: "designating athletic sports and teams operated or sponsored by public schools or private schools participating in a parental choice program based on the sex of the participants".
The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.
In essence, this bill mandates school boards, independent charter schools, and private schools participating in parental choice programs to classify interscholastic, intramural, and club sports based on participants' sex as determined at birth and noted on birth certificates. It prohibits male pupils from joining female-designated teams and using female locker rooms. The bill requires notification to pupils and parents if team designations change. Additionally, it provides legal recourse for female pupils deprived of competitive opportunities or facing retaliation for reporting violations, allowing them to seek injunctive relief and damages. Schools suffering harm for complying may also pursue legal action.
The bill was co-authored by Representative Barbara Dittrich (Republican-99th District), Senator Dan Feyen (Republican-20th District), Senator André Jacque (Republican-1st District), Senator Chris Kapenga (Republican-33rd District), and Senator Steve L. Nass (Republican-11th District). It was co-sponsored by Representative Scott Allen (Republican-82nd District), Representative David Armstrong (Republican-67th District), and Representative Elijah R. Behnke (Republican-6th District), along with 28 other co-sponsors.
Mary Felzkowski has authored another three bills since the beginning of the 2025 session, with none of them being enacted.
Felzkowski graduated from the University of Wisconsin, River Falls in 1986 with a BS.
Felzkowski, a Republican, was elected to the Wisconsin State Senate in 2021 to represent the state's 12th Senate district, replacing previous state senator Tom Tiffany.
In Wisconsin, the legislative process starts when a senator, constituent, group, or agency proposes an idea for a bill. After drafting, the bill is introduced, numbered, and referred to a committee for review and public input. If approved, it moves through three readings and votes in both the Senate and Assembly. Once both chambers pass the same version, the bill goes to the governor, who can sign it, veto it, or let it become law without a signature. Only a small share of bills introduced each session ultimately become law. You can learn more about the Wisconsin legislative process here.
| Bill Number | Date Introduced | Short Description |
|---|---|---|
| SB117 | 03/07/2025 | Designating athletic sports and teams operated or sponsored by public schools or private schools participating in a parental choice program based on the sex of the participants |
| SB116 | 03/07/2025 | Designating University of Wisconsin and technical college sports and athletic teams based on the sex of the participants |
| SB98 | 03/07/2025 | Conversion of cooperative associations organized to establish and operate nonprofit plans or programs for health care into service insurance corporations |
| SB23 | 02/05/2025 | Extension of eligibility under the Medical Assistance program for postpartum women. (FE) |
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