A newly formed state Senate committee will look to ensure that female athletes have the right to participate on an even basis with their males counterparts.

The new rules also broaden the interpretation of Title IX to cover pregnant, gay and transgender students. They do not address whether schools can ban trans athletes from women's and girls' teams.

The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics, which oversees some 83,000 athletes competing in more than 25 sports, is thought to be the first college sports organization to take such a step.