Minnesota Referred to DOJ Over Boys in Girls' Sports

The U.S. Education Department and Health and Human Services have referred Minnesota to the Justice Department after concluding the state violated Title IX by permitting males to compete in girls’ sports; the referral could lead to the loss of federal education and health funding.

Federal education and health officials have referred Minnesota to the U.S. Department of Justice over alleged civil rights violations tied to the participation of males in girls' sports. The Education Department and the Department of Health and Human Services concluded in September that Minnesota's practices violated Title IX, which prohibits sex‑based discrimination in federally funded education programs. The agencies say they offered a proposed resolution agreement that the state agencies declined, and the referral notifies Minnesota that DOJ proceedings could follow and that federal funding is at stake. Key facts: - The Education Department and HHS concluded the state violated Title IX by allowing males to participate in female sports programs and related facilities access, based on investigations opened in June and concluded in September. - The referral to the Department of Justice was announced by federal officials and could lead to legal proceedings and potential termination of federal funding from ED and HHS. - Investigators reported instances of males competing on girls' teams in several sports, including a biological male who competed on Champlin High School’s girls’ varsity fastpitch softball team since 2023; federal officials say a proposed resolution offer was declined by state agencies. Summary: Federal agencies have moved the matter to the Justice Department after determining a Title IX violation, and they state the referral could result in termination of some federal funding. Undetermined at this time is how DOJ will proceed and what specific timeline will follow for any legal action or administrative decisions.