Overview

• The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) determined that the Maine Department of Education, Maine Principals’ Association, and Greely High School violated Title IX by allowing transgender athletes to compete in girls’ sports.
• The violations stem from President Trump’s executive order mandating Title IX protections based on biological sex, which conflicts with Maine’s Human Rights Act supporting gender identity-based participation.
• HHS has given the entities 10 days to resolve the issue through a signed agreement or risk referral to the Department of Justice for legal enforcement.
• Maine Governor Janet Mills and the Maine Principals’ Association argue that their policies align with state law and have indicated they may challenge federal actions in court.
• Federal funding to the University of Maine System has already been paused, and additional funding cuts have been threatened if Maine does not comply with the executive order.