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Worth Fighting · Education research

Maryland: Girls’ Sports Laws & School Privacy

Reviewed October 10, 2026 · Primary documents, visible evidence gaps

State guidance and current district handbook distinguished

Indexed MPSSAA guidance calls for local criteria consistent with gender identity. MCPS offers eligibility based on sex assigned at birth, transitioned gender or gender identity consistently asserted at school.

Last checked 2026-10-10 · Written-document review

Legal authority
MPSSAA participation guidance (2016 revision, indexed); MCPS 2026–2027 guidelines cite COMAR 13A.01.06.03 and Board Policy ACA.
Adoption / publication date
MPSSAA file identifies an August 2016 revision; MCPS publishes a 2026–2027 edition.
Effective date
Exact adoption/effective date of the current statewide sports guidance: Unknown/not located.
Covered schools and programs
MPSSAA interscholastic guidance for local school systems; MCPS rules cover Montgomery County, not all Maryland schools.
Eligibility definition and procedure
Indexed MPSSAA guidance calls for local criteria consistent with gender identity. MCPS offers eligibility based on sex assigned at birth, transitioned gender or gender identity consistently asserted at school.
Girls’ / women’s sports rule
MCPS eligibility, once approved on its support form, lasts for the student’s interscholastic participation; athletics appeals go to its Department of Athletics.
Restrooms, locker rooms and privacy
MCPS permits access corresponding to consistently asserted gender identity and requested privacy alternatives. This verified local rule is not presented as a complete statewide facilities code.
Overnight accommodations
MCPS separately addresses supervised outdoor education and secondary hotel room assignments, including parent notice of roommate assignments and possible alternatives.
Enforcement and remedies
OCR opened investigations June 23, 2026. No finding or signed agreement in those matters was located.
State or association guidance
State guidance needs current-edition verification; the 2026–2027 MCPS handbook is directly available.
Litigation
Unknown/not located
Verified order scope
Unknown/not located
Federal interaction
MSDE, Montgomery County, Prince George’s County and Frederick County were named in the June 23 announcement.
Verified local implementation
Written policy verified for MCPS; actual practices across the state not audited.
Latest reviewed event
MCPS 2026–2027 handbook reviewed on October 10, 2026.
Evidence gap / next check
Current full MPSSAA text, other district policies, agency files and any later orders remain incomplete.

Source documents

Last checked: . Standalone page published.

Document timeline

  1. MPSSAA file identifies an August 2016 revision; MCPS publishes a 2026–2027 edition.
  2. MCPS 2026–2027 handbook reviewed on October 10, 2026.

Questions about this record

What is the latest verified status for Maryland?

MCPS 2026–2027 handbook reviewed on October 10, 2026.

What remains unverified in this record?

Current full MPSSAA text, other district policies, agency files and any later orders remain incomplete.

How should a family or coach check the applicable rule?

Use the official law and association documents linked here, then request the school’s current written procedure. This record does not verify every local practice.

Record update log

2026-10-10: Initial publication. Current full MPSSAA text, other district policies, agency files and any later orders remain incomplete.

Have a newer public document? Send a correction with the record name and source.