
The US Department of Health and Human Services is accusing Maine of violating federal law, following an investigation it initiated after President Donald Trump signed executive action that bans transgender women from participating in female sports.
On Monday, the HHS’ Office for Civil Rights announced it had finished an investigation into the state and that its actions foreshadow “enforcement in federal court” according to an agancy release.
“The Maine Department of Education may not shirk its obligations under Federal law by ceding control of its extracurricular activities, programs, and services to the Maine Principals’ Association,” said acting OCR Director Anthony Archeval. “We hope the Maine Department of Education, the Maine Principals’ Association, and Greely High School will work with us to come to an agreement that restores fairness in women’s sports.”
Trump on Feb. 5 signed an executive action on keeping transgender people out of women’s sports. The HHS’ OCR on Feb. 21 announced an investigation into the state after statements from “the Maine Attorney General, and Maine’s Governor that the state will continue to allow biological males to compete in women’s sports.”
During his presidential campaign, Trump promised to roll back protections for transgender people and bar them from female sports.