CHARLESTON, WV (LOOTPRESS) – West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey has signed the “Riley Gaines Act” into law, making the state the 12th in the nation to define terms such as “male” and “female” in state law.
The legislation, also known as SB 456/HB 2006, was passed with bipartisan support and signed by the governor the day after its approval.
The new law establishes definitions of “male” and “female” in state law, and preserves single-sex spaces such as locker rooms, crisis centers, dormitories, and prisons.
Governor Morrisey was joined by Independent Women Voice CEO Heather R. Higgins and former collegiate swimmer Riley Gaines for a ceremonial bill signing.
The law aligns with Independent Women’s Stand With Women Act, which Morrisey previously supported as West Virginia Attorney General.
“Today we sent a strong message that West Virginia stands with women,” Morrisey said.
“West Virginia will not bow down to radical gender ideology – we are going to lead with common sense, and the Riley Gaines Act does exactly that. Thank you to Riley, the Independent Women’s Voice, and girls around the country standing up for what is right.”
Higgins praised Morrisey’s long-standing support for the issue.
“I can personally attest that Governor Patrick Morrisey is one of the few conviction politicians who, long before it was politically popular, understood the attack on women and did something about it,” she said.
Gaines, a former University of Kentucky swimmer and host of OutKick’s “Gaines for Girls” podcast, called the law a major step in protecting women’s rights.
“I am truly honored to support such a strong piece of legislation, and I’m excited to celebrate this win along with West Virginian women and girls as it becomes law today,” she said.
The law also received support from local athletes, including West Virginia middle school track and field competitor Emmy Salerno, who previously declined to compete against a male athlete.
“Thanks to Governor Morrisey and the West Virginia legislature, I no longer have to worry about facing sex-discrimination,” she said.
With this legislation, West Virginia joins a growing list of states that have adopted similar laws, including Kansas, Tennessee, Idaho, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Nebraska, Arkansas, Alabama, Iowa, and Indiana. Montana is expected to follow soon.
