West Virginia Senate Bill 456

For the Georgia law of the same name, see Riley Gaines Act.

West Virginia Senate Bill 456
West Virginia Legislature
Long title A BILL to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding a new article, designated §5-32-1, §5-32-2, §5-32-3, §5-32-4, §5-32-5, §5-32-6, §5-32-7, and §5-32-8, relating to clarifying definitions of sex, male, and female in state law; and providing for related protections for single-sex spaces.
Citation
Territorial extent	West Virginia
Passed by	West Virginia Senate
Passed	March 11, 2025
Enacted	March 11, 2025
Enacted by	West Virginia House of Delegates
Enacted	March 11, 2025
Signed by	Patrick Morrisey
Signed	March 12, 2025
Legislative history
First chamber: West Virginia Senate
Bill title	Senate Bill 456
Introduced	February 13, 2025
First reading	February 27, 2025
Second reading	February 28, 2025
Third reading	March 3, 2025 [1]
Voting summary	32 voted for 1 voted against 1 absent
Second chamber: West Virginia House of Delegates
First reading	March 4, 2025
Second reading	March 6, 2025
Third reading	March 11, 2025 [2]
Voting summary	90 voted for 8 voted against 2 absent
Final stages
Finally passed both chambers	March 11, 2025
Status: Not yet in force

West Virginia Senate Bill 456 (SB 456), also known as the Riley Gaines Act ^[3] or Stand with Women Legislation, ^[4] is a 2025 law in the state of West Virginia that modifies the definitions of man, woman, and sex in state law, thereby restricting access to certain sex-designated spaces. ^[5] It was signed into law by Governor Patrick Morrisey on March 12, 2025 after passing the legislature the previous day. ^{[6] [7]} It will take effect on July 9, 2025. ^[8]

The law affects transgender West Virginians, particularly trans women. ^{[9] [10] [11] [12]} The law is named after Riley Gaines, a conservative activist who opposes transgender women in girls' sports and facilities. ^{[13] [14]}

Provisions

Riley Gaines, the namesake of the Riley Gaines Act. She was present during the signing of SB 456.

SB 456 defines certain gender and sex-related terms in state law, such as male, female, and sex, among others. ^[17] More specifically, it ties those definitions to that of biological sex. ^[18] An amendment was included so the law could not be used to perform "genital examinations" so as to determine the sex of minors. ^{[19] [20]}

Reactions

Support

SB 456 is supported by the Alliance Defending Freedom. ^[21] Patrick Morrisey, who signed the bill into law, claimed it would help fight "radical gender ideology". ^[22]

Opposition

The only member of the West Virginia Senate to vote against SB 456, Joey Garcia, opposed the bill because of statements of other West Virginians who were or would be harmed by the bill. ^[23]

See also

• LGBTQ rights in West Virginia

References

1. Young, Charles (2025-03-03). "West Virginia Senate passes bill defining 'man' and woman'". West Virginia News. Retrieved 2025-06-26.
2. "CORRECTION: Bill passed by WV lawmakers will not allow doctors inspect child's genitals to confirm gender". wdtv.com. 2025-03-11. Retrieved 2025-06-26.
3. Allen Adams, Steven (2025-03-08). "West Virginia House passes Morrisey's Riley Gaines Act". The Parkersburg News and Sentinel. Retrieved 2025-06-26.
4. Hankins, Taylor (2025-03-11). "W.Va. legislature passes bill defining "single-sex" spaces, remains murky on enforcement". wvva.com. Retrieved 2025-06-26.
5. Coyne, Caity; Kersey, Lori (2025-03-07). "Bill defining 'men' and 'women' passes WV House, sent back to Senate for final approval". West Virginia Watch. Retrieved 2025-03-07.
6. Parker, Aaron (2025-03-12). "Morrisey signs bill defining 'man' and 'woman' into law - WV MetroNews". WV MetroNews. Retrieved 2025-06-26.
7. Heaney, Briana (2025-03-12). "Riley Gaines Bill Signed Into Law, Defines Men and Women". West Virginia Public Broadcasting. Retrieved 2025-06-26.
8. Risberg, Jillian (2025-03-17). "West Virginians react to "Riley Gaines Act" signed into law". ABC4 WOAY. Retrieved 2025-06-26.
9. Allen Adams, Steven (2025-03-04). "West Virginia Senate passes Riley Gaines Act". The Parkersburg News and Sentinel. Retrieved 2025-06-26.
10. "Bill defining 'male' and 'female' passes West Virginia House on Friday". wchstv.com. 2025-03-07. Retrieved 2025-06-26.
11. Ferrell Knisely, Amelia (2025-03-03). "Morrisey's priority bill defining 'woman' and 'man' clears WV Senate". West Virginia Watch. Retrieved 2025-06-26.
12. Heaney, Briana (2025-03-03). "Bill Targeting Trans People Clears Senate". West Virginia Public Broadcasting. Retrieved 2025-06-26.
13. Allen Adams, Steven (2025-02-26). "West Virginia Lawmakers Move to Define 'Male' and 'Female'". The Intelligencer. Retrieved 2025-06-26.
14. "Morrisey signs Riley Gaines Act into law, creating 'single-sex private spaces'". wdtv.com. 2025-03-12. Retrieved 2025-06-26.
15. Allen Adams, Steven (2025-03-13). "Morrisey, Gaines celebrate passage of West Virginia bill defining 'male,' 'female'". The Parkersburg News and Sentinel. Retrieved 2025-06-26.
16. Gleason, Moira (2025-03-14). "West Virginia Bans Biological Males From Women's Spaces". The Daily Signal. Retrieved 2025-06-26.
17. Shelton, Autumn (2025-03-04). "WV Senate adopts legislation that says 'men are men and women are women'". The Real West Virginia. Retrieved 2025-06-26.
18. Heaney, Briana (2025-03-07). "'Riley Gains Act' Nearing Governor's Desk". West Virginia Public Broadcasting. Retrieved 2025-06-26.
19. Ferrell Knisely, Amelia (2025-03-11). "WV Senate clarifies gender definition bill can't be used to inspect child's genitals". West Virginia Watch. Retrieved 2025-06-26.
20. "CORRECTION: Bill passed by WV lawmakers will not allow doctors to inspect child's genitals to confirm gender". wdtv.com. 2025-03-11. Retrieved 2025-06-26.
21. Beth Nolan, Sara (2025-03-12). "WV governor signs bill to protect women's, girls' privacy". Alliance Defending Freedom. Retrieved 2025-06-26.
22. Bollinger, Alex (2025-03-14). "West Virginia governor signs trans erasure bill after genital examinations were removed". LGBTQ Nation. Retrieved 2025-06-26.
23. Tucker, Bailee (2025-03-04). "West Virginia Senate passes bill that defines differences in sexes". wchstv.com. Retrieved 2025-06-26.