SW News: The governor of South Dakota in the US Kristy Noem signed a bill on Thursday, February 3, that bans transgender females from taking part in school or college sports items for women or girls.

Noem is the first governor in the US to sign such a ban this year. As a result, South Dakota became the 10th state to ban transgender females from competing in women’s or girls’ sports.

Addressing it as a fairness bill, the governor stated, "It's about allowing biological females… to compete fairly on a level playing field that gives them opportunities for success."

Noem said her bill signing is a defense of Title IX, the federal civil rights legislation that bars sex discrimination in schools and educational programs. According to several media reports, the new regulation will be applicable for all state-accredited schools. A student who suffers direct or indirect harm as a result of a law violation will be able to sue the school, association, or institution that caused the alleged harm, according to the law, which is set to take effect on July 1.

After defeating a similar bill passed by the state's legislature, Noem signed executive orders last year prohibiting transgender athletes from participating in women's sports in the state.

Nearly seven US states introduced bills in 2022 prohibiting transgender women from participating in women's sports.