WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office for Civil Rights (OCR) announced an investigation into the Minnesota Department of Education and the Minnesota State High School League on Thursday, June 26, 2025, with details reported at 10:15 AM EDT on Friday, June 27, 2025. The probe, conducted under Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, examines whether Minnesota has engaged in sex discrimination by permitting male athletes to compete on teams reserved for females.
OCR enforces Title IX, which prohibits sex discrimination in education programs receiving HHS funding, including the Minnesota Department of Education. The Minnesota State High School League, tasked with overseeing interscholastic sports, is also subject to these regulations. OCR Director Paula M. Stannard emphasized, “Females cannot be relegated to the sidelines under Title IX. As a recipient of Federal funds, Title IX requires Minnesota to ensure fair and safe opportunities for females to compete on sex-segregated teams—regardless of state law obligations.”
The investigation was prompted by a recent incident where a male athlete’s participation in a female-only high school softball championship proved decisive, leading the team to a state title. This follows Minnesota’s Attorney General advising the league to adhere to state law over President Trump’s Executive Order 14201, titled “Keeping Men out of Women’s Sports,” which prioritizes safety, fairness, dignity, and biological accuracy. Despite a U.S. Department of Justice letter reinforcing the administration’s stance on Title IX, Minnesota has prioritized state law.
This action aligns with OCR’s broader initiative to protect women’s sports and uphold biological standards in federal policy. Individuals who believe they have faced discrimination based on race, color, national origin, disability, age, sex, religion, or conscience in HHS-funded programs can file a complaint at https://www.hhs.gov/civil-rights/filing-a-complaint/index.html.
