JANUARY 16, 2025|
Photo – State Capitol building in Cheyenne – Bigfoot99 file photo
In the legislature on Wednesday, the House Labor and Social Services Committee passed the “What is a Woman Act”. The legislation pushes back against the gender-confused rhetoric sweeping liberal states, like California, Illinois, Minnesota and New York.
The legislation would codify the definition of a male and female based on biological sex—not on contemporary notions of gender.
Sponsored by Representative Jayne Lien, R-Casper, HB 32 passed the nine-member committee by a 7-1 vote after one-hour public testimony and lawmaker discussion.
The sole dissenting vote was Jackson Hole Democrat, Representative Mike Yin.
The bill specifies that distinctions based on sex must be enforced in athletics, prisons or other detention facilities, domestic violence shelters, rape crisis centers, locker rooms, restrooms and other areas where safety or privacy are at stake.
A nearly identical bill last year, also titled “What is a Woman Act,” failed to meet the two-thirds vote needed to be introduced and moved forward during the 2024 Budget Session.
Former Casper Representative Jeanette Ward, who brought the bill and then lost her reelection bid in November, testified in favor of the bill on Wednesday.
The Wyoming senate rejected a move by Senator Larry Hicks of Baggs to rescind a committee chairmanship to Senator Eric Barlow over a concern the Campbell County Republican is not sufficiently opposed to abortion.
Hicks said his motion was not based on “malice,” but rather his own “moral convictions.”
Senate President Bo Biteman selected Barlow to chair the Senate Labor, Health and Social Services Committee, which typically considers abortion legislation. Hicks opposed the assignment.
According to Legislative Service Office records Barlow supported both a near-total abortion ban and a medication abortion ban in 2023. A state judge in November struck down both laws.
The attempt by Hicks to deny Barlow of the appointment failed, winning only two other votes. The other 28 senators supported the assignment.
Meanwhile, the Wyoming Supreme Court is expected to decide the legality of the two abortion bans passed by the Legislature in 2023 as lawmakers cue up new legislation during the current session.
