West Virginia, et al., Petitioners v. B. P. J., By Her Next Friend and Mother, Heather Jackson

The Supreme Court heard arguments in a fight over whether West Virginia can require students to join girls’ and boys’ school sports teams based on their biological sex as determined at birth. The case comes from a challenge by a 14-year-old transgender girl who wants to play on her school’s girls’ teams despite the state’s ban.

The Court heard argument on Jan. 13, 2026, on whether Title IX and the Equal Protection Clause allow or prohibit states from assigning school sports teams based on sex determined at birth.

The case could affect school sports rules for students across the country. For example, it may shape whether transgender girls can join girls’ teams in states with laws like West Virginia’s.

The case asks whether Title IX or the Equal Protection Clause bars a state from assigning school sports teams by biological sex at birth. It arises from West Virginia’s ban on transgender athletes in girls’ sports.

Students, families, schools, and athletic programs could all be affected. The decision may influence participation rules for transgender students in school sports nationwide.

The justices will consider the case and issue an opinion later. The prompt says a decision is generally expected by late June or early July of the term.