MIAMI — The Florida High School Athletic Association on Thursday walked back a controversial proposal to require female high school athletes to disclose information regarding their menstrual history, following scathing criticism from students, parents, physicians, advocacy organizations and some lawmakers.
The FHSAA Board of Directors voted 14-2 during an emergency meeting to instead require students to submit just one page to schools to indicate if they are healthy enough to compete, or only able to participate partially, with their doctor signing off. Board members Chris Patricca and Charlie Ward cast the two dissenting votes. The menstrual questions will be removed from the form.
The one-page physical evaluation form, recommended by the association’s Executive Director Craig Damon earlier this week, omits specific details about a player’s menstrual cycle. Damon’s recommendation was announced on the same day that 30 Florida legislators called on the FHSAA to rescind its proposal that would include information about student athletes’ menstrual periods.
