South Dakota Gov. Kristi L. Noem (R) signed legislation Thursday that bans transgender girls and college-age women from playing on female sports teams, calling it “an act to protect fairness in women’s sports.”

Cut through the 2024 election noise. Get The Campaign Moment newsletter.With Noem’s signature, South Dakota became the 10th state nationwide to enact such a ban, some of which are now facing legal challenges. She was the first governor this year to sign one into law.

“This bill has been an important priority for a lot of the people behind me,” Noem said during a signing ceremony at the state Capitol in Pierre, where she was flanked by bill advocates, “and I appreciate all of their hard work in making sure that girls will always have the opportunity to play in girls sports in South Dakota and have an opportunity for a level playing field, for fairness, that gives them the chance to experience success.”