New laws in New Hampshire protect women's sports, ban sex changes for minors

Ensurance of “fairness and safety in women’s sports,” and a ban on genital reassignment surgery was signed into law in New Hampshire on Friday by Gov. Chris Sununu.

The governor acted on several bills Friday, singling out legislation to provide further explanation, and sparking criticism from supporters and critics of the transgender movement.

The governor signed House Bill 1205, preventing males from participating in female sports. One day after Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump said the Title IX rewrite would be reversed if he returns to the White House, Sununu said the new law will protect “fairness and safety in women’s sports by maintaining integrity and competitive balance in athletic competitions.”

Sununu championed the move by saying the new law is “widely supported” and that the Granite State joins almost half of all states in protecting women’s sports.

The nonprofit Independent Women’s Voice celebrated the legislation's signing, reiterating Sununu’s stance that the new law will ultimately protect girls and women.

“A bill [HB1205] protecting the safety, privacy, and equal opportunity of girls in sports from grades 5-12. Thank you, Gov. Sununu, for standing with NH female athletes! We hope to see additional protections for girls and women,” the group wrote in a social media post.

The New Hampshire State Teachers Association slammed the new law, saying it will be exclusionary and public schools should be “safe” and “welcoming” for all students.

“Public schools should be safe, welcoming environments for all students, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity," Megan Tuttle, the union’s president, said in a statement. "Shame on Governor Sununu for signing into law this legislation that excludes students from athletics, which can help foster a sense of belonging that is so critical for young people to thrive.”

The law does not prohibit anyone from competing in athletics.

Sununu also signed House Bill 619, banning gender-reassignment surgeries for minors. The governor defended his decision, which received bipartisan support, saying the procedures are “life altering” and irreversible.”

“HB619 ensures that life-altering, irreversible surgeries will not be performed on children. This bill focuses on protecting the health and safety of New Hampshire’s children and has earned bipartisan support,” Sununu wrote.

The governor continued pointing to several progressive European countries that have taken a step back from allowing the procedures, including the Biden administration’s opposition to the surgeries.

“There is a reason that countries across the world – from Sweden to Norway, France, and the United Kingdom – have taken steps to pause these procedures and policies. Even the Biden administration opposes these youth surgeries, citing the American Academy of Pediatrics,” Sununu said.

The governor also signed House Bill 1312, which requires parental notification of gender ideology and sexual orientation in the classroom.

Lastly, Sununu vetoed House Bill 396, which would have ultimately classified restrooms, locker rooms, and prisons based on sex.

Critics claim the move opens the door for males to be housed in women’s prisons and access to ladies’ bathrooms and locker rooms.

Sununu defended the veto, ultimately saying the legislation would invite “unnecessary discord.”

“In 2018, Republicans and Democrats passed legislation to prevent discrimination because as I said at the time, it is unacceptable and runs contrary to New Hampshire’s Live Free or Die Spirit," Sununu said. "That still rings true today. The challenge with HB396 is that in some cases it seeks to solve problems that have not presented themselves in New Hampshire, and in doing so invites unnecessary discord. As such, today I have vetoed HB396.”

Riley Gaines, 12-time All-American collegiate swimmer and activist for protecting women’s sports, supported the legislation to protect women’s sports and ban gender reassignment surgery for minors but was critical of Sununu’s decision to veto HB396.

“[Sununu] vetoed HB396 which would’ve prevented men from entering women’s bathrooms/prisons/etc. More work to be done,” Gaines posted on X.