ANNAPOLIS, Md. (7News) — Maryland State Delegate Kathy Szeliga, a Republican representing Baltimore County, said she supports Tuesday’s U.S. Supreme Court ruling allowing states to bar transgender girls and women from competing on female school athletic teams and is renewing her push for legislation in Maryland.
In an interview with 7News anchor Megan Clarke, Szeliga said she was “very excited about this ruling,” adding that she had introduced similar legislation for several years.
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She said, “Twenty-seven states have passed laws similar to a bill that I’ve put in every year for the last six years to say that biological girls are the ones that can play on girls,” arguing that competitive girls’ sports should be limited to biological females.
Szeliga said her proposal focuses on junior varsity and varsity athletics and would not affect coeducational or intramural sports. She described the legislation as a “common sense” measure intended to preserve competitive opportunities.
“This bill is really simple common sense,” Szeliga said, adding that it applies to “JV and varsity high school girls’ sports” and is intended to protect scholarship and competitive opportunities.
Maryland does not currently have a statewide ban on transgender athletes in girls’ and women’s sports, though some school systems have faced federal scrutiny over related policies.
During the interview, Szeliga said she does not believe the issue is widespread in Maryland but said some parents have raised concerns.
In response to questions about criticism that such policies are discriminatory, Szeliga said the legislation is intended to protect girls’ athletics.
“This certainly doesn’t discriminate; it protects girls,” she said, arguing that allowing transgender girls to compete would disadvantage biological female athletes.
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She said she believes national organizations, including the NCAA and the Olympics, have already weighed in on eligibility standards and said Maryland should follow similar policies.
Szeliga said she intends to continue pushing for the bill in future legislative sessions, saying it would ensure girls “get a chance on the field as well” in competitive sports settings.
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