Biden’s Title IX Rule Goes Into Effect in 24 States as Legal Challenges Continue

Biden administration Title IX regulations that strengthen protections for L.G.B.T.Q. students went into effect in 24 states on Thursday, but the rule remains blocked in the rest of the country because of legal challenges.

The new regulations broaden the scope of Title IX, the landmark 1972 law that prohibits discrimination based on sex in institutions that receive federal funding. They extend the law’s reach to include discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, as well as unequal treatment of pregnant students, significantly expanding the scope of complaints schools must investigate.

The partial implementation on Thursday was a significant, if incomplete, breakthrough for the Biden administration, which has fought to enforce stronger Title IX regulations after former President Donald J. Trump’s administration gave more protections to students accused of sexual misconduct.

“These regulations make crystal clear that everyone has the right to schools that respect their rights and offer safe, welcoming learning environments,” Miguel A. Cardona, the secretary of education, said on Thursday. “They clarify that Title IX’s prohibition of sex discrimination includes all forms of sex discrimination.”

He added: “It’s unacceptable that any student has to give up on their dreams of a college degree because they’re pregnant, and it’s unacceptable that any student face discrimination or bullying simply because of who they are.”

Republican attorneys general have challenged the regulations in 10 lawsuits, preventing them from taking effect in 26 states.

Last week, the Biden administration asked the Supreme Court to resolve the confusing legal landscape by allowing provisions that were not challenged to take effect while it