On January 31, 2025, the U.S. Department of Education confirmed that it would immediately enforce the first Trump administration's 2020 Title IX regulations, replacing the Biden-era 2024 updates. The reversion applied to all open Title IX investigations, including those initiated under the 2024 rules, regardless of when the alleged misconduct occurred.
Court Ruling
The reversion was preceded by a January 9, 2025 federal court ruling in the Eastern District of Kentucky that vacated Biden's 2024 Title IX Rule nationwide. The court found the Department of Education exceeded its statutory authority by redefining "on the basis of sex" in a manner inconsistent with Title IX's express language.
Key Changes Under 2020 Rules
The reinstated 2020 regulations narrowed protections in several significant ways:
Significance
The reversion represented one of the earliest and most sweeping civil rights rollbacks of the second Trump administration, affecting every college, university, and K-12 school receiving federal funding. Advocates for sexual violence victims warned the decision would put students at greater risk of harassment, while conservative groups applauded the restoration of due process protections.