State Rep. Jennifer Wortz and the Michigan House of Representatives on Thursday approved a plan to protect girls’ sports.

“When biological males intrude into girls’ athletics, they take away success and safety from female athletes,” said Wortz, R-Quincy. “Title IX was established more than 50 years ago to give women and girls fair opportunities to compete against their peers in athletics. We have now shifted so far in society that not only has that right been taken away, but biological males have also been allowed in female locker rooms and bathrooms. Ten years ago, we would have rightly called this sexual misconduct or harassment. I strongly support this simple plan to stand up for girls and women and protect them in their athletic endeavors.”

House Bills 4066 and 4469 would prohibit males from competing on female sports teams at Michigan public schools. The plan follows a previous House vote in March to urge the Michigan High School Athletic Association to keep boys out of girls’ sports.

Approval of the bills also comes a week after the Committee on Government Operations heard testimony from Wortz and other legislators, along with female athletes who have been forced to compete against males in women’s sports.

Payton McNabb, a former University of North Carolina volleyball player, has suffered impaired vision, partial paralysis, and mental health struggles since a man on an opposing “women’s” team spiked the ball into her head. McNabb testified about her experience to the committee and participated in a press conference with Wortz and other representatives. Riley Gaines, a University of Kentucky swimmer who tied with a male in a women’s swim meet, testified before the committee virtually.

“Payton and Riley have both experienced life altering tragedy because of men competing in women’s sports,” Wortz said. “Payton was even injured. I’m so grateful for these two ladies and the many other women and girls who have raised their voices and stood up for fair, safe competition.  This is simple common sense and what our mothers and grandmothers fought for in the establishment of Title IX.”

HBs 4066 and 4469 now advance to the Senate for consideration.