Senate Strikes House Amendment On Riley Gains Bill, Sends To Governor’s Desk

A Senate bill, dubbed the Riley Gaines Act, has completed legislation and is on its way to the governor’s desk. 

A transgender person has a different gender identity than the sex they were assigned at birth, but Senate Bill 456 would restrict them from certain spaces designated for either women or men.

An amendment that would have allowed a healthcare professional, like a school nurse, to examine a child’s genitalia to confirm their sex without a parent’s consent was removed by the Senate. 

Del. Mike Pushkin, D-Kanawha, said this was rushed legislation meant to prove a political point; he praised the upper chamber for its decision. 

“That’s a dangerous amendment that passed out of this body, to allow for these types of examinations on children without parental consent. That’s what it does. The Senate agrees. They took it out for that very reason,” Pushkin said. 

The House agreed to the Senate change. The bill passed the Senate Friday with one no vote, and passed the House with nine no votes March 3. It now heads to the governor’s desk. 

Gov. Patrick Morrisey will hold a press conference Wednesday at 12:30 p.m. with Riley Gains, a political activist and former swimmer who tied with a trans woman for fifth place NCAA WD1 Championship in March 2022.