S. 5179: Title IX Clarification Act of 2026

This bill would change how Title IX is interpreted for federally funded education programs and activities. It would add definitions to the law stating that:

• “Sex” means a person’s biologically determined sex, defined as male or female.
• “Female” means a natural person who has, had, will have, or would have, except for certain anomalies or disruptions, the reproductive system that produces the larger gamete used for fertilization.
• “Male” means a natural person who has, had, will have, or would have, except for certain anomalies or disruptions, the reproductive system that produces the smaller gamete used for fertilization.

The bill also changes the wording in Title IX’s existing provisions so that these new definitions apply to the term “sex” in the statute.

In practical terms, the bill would tell schools, colleges, and other education programs that receive federal funds to use these biological definitions when applying federal sex-discrimination rules under Title IX. The bill does not describe new enforcement procedures or penalties; instead, it focuses on clarifying the legal meaning of sex-related terms in the existing law.

The bill would take effect when it is enacted, and it would apply to education programs and activities receiving federal financial assistance on or after that date.

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