Governor Glenn Youngkin has issued Executive Directive 14, instructing the Virginia Board of Health to develop regulations intended to protect women’s and girls’ health and safety in spaces and activities separated by sex.
In a statement, Governor Youngkin said, “The health and safety of women and girls in sex separated spaces and participating in athletic competitions is in serious jeopardy due to irresponsible policies, including those that allow known sex offenders to hunt little girls in public locker rooms. It is an embarrassment and a tragedy that certain individuals continue to turn a blind eye to these clear violations of the law and of the health, safety, privacy, dignity, and respect of Virginians. This must stop. I want to thank President Donald J. Trump, the U.S. Department of Justice and the U.S. Department of Education for their strong, common sense approach to protecting women and girls.”
The directive requires the Board of Health to use the Virginia Administrative Process Act to create rules that would prohibit biological males from joining female-only athletic teams or competitions within Virginia. Additionally, it directs that biological males be prevented from entering female-designated spaces where females may be undressed.
Previously, three female athletes submitted a petition under Va. Code § 2.2-4007 asking the Board of Health to change its regulations so that only females could participate on female sports teams or enter designated female spaces likely involving states of undress. The Board accepted this petition in August.
On October 2, 2025, the Board will consider whether to publish a Notice of Intended Regulatory Action (NOIRA), which is a required step under state law before any new regulation can move forward.
