Indiana Republican lawmakers overrode a veto by Gov. Eric Holcomb, banning biological males from competing in female sports.
The vote makes Indiana the most recent state to pass legislation protecting female athletes.
Holocomb, a Republican who is serving his second term, vetoed the bill in March, arguing that it would be challenged in court and questioning whether it solved any pressing matters, Just the News reports.
The bill "implies that the goals of consistency and fairness in competitive female sports are not currently being met," the governor said at the time. "After thorough review, I find no evidence to support either claim even if I support the overall goal."
The Alliance Defending Freedom celebrated the Legislature on Tuesday for overriding the veto.
"We commend the Indiana legislators who took a stand for female athletes by overriding this veto, and we are hopeful they will act quickly to extend these protections to collegiate athletes, especially since the NCAA has failed in its duty to preserve fair and equal opportunity for women," Alliance Defending Freedom Senior Counsel Christiana Kiefer said.
