Defining "men" and "women"
SB 456, enacted as Chapter 202 of the 2025 Regular Session, defines "men" and "women" in state law based on biological sex assigned at birth. This bill directly affects state agencies, programs, and statutes that use gender classifications, requiring them to use these definitions instead of gender identity. Key provisions mandate that all state laws, including those governing healthcare access, education, and public accommodations, must apply these biological sex definitions. The law became effective upon the governor’s approval on March 12, 2025.
Bill status
signed
all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
Feb 2025
Senate Passage
Mar 2025
House of Delegates Passage
Mar 2025
Signed into Law
Aug 2025
Introduced Feb 13, 2025
Signed Aug 8, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 6 comparisons
What changed between versions
sb456 sfa martin 3-11 adopted.htm
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sb456 sfat martin 3-11 adopted.htm
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3 edits
MINOR
The bill's title was changed to reflect a more comprehensive scope, now explicitly covering sex definitions and single-sex spaces across multiple institutions including domestic violence shelters, public schools, higher education, and correctional facilities. The amendment also clarifies that the bill does not authorize examinations of minors for biological sex determination and establishes that a minor's biological sex is determined by their recorded sex at birth.
Scope change
The bill's scope was expanded from a general House amendment to include specific provisions for sex definitions and single-sex spaces across multiple types of institutions and clarified protections for minors.
SCOPE
The bill was amended to add comprehensive provisions covering sex definitions and single-sex spaces across domestic violence shelters, public schools, higher education institutions, and correctional facilities.
DEFINITION
New language clarifies that a minor's biological sex is determined by their recorded sex at birth and that the bill does not authorize examinations of minors for this purpose.
REQUIREMENT
The amendment establishes standards applicable to various institutions regarding sex-based policies and data collection practices.
Floor votes · Senate Mar 3, 2025 · House of Delegates Mar 7, 2025
How they voted
31–1
Passed · 1 other
Total votes 33
Mar 3, 2025
D
Democratic2
50% Nay
R
Republican31
96% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
43
Key actions
10
Committee
2
Amendments
2
Mar 18, 2025
Signed into law
Approved by Governor 3/18/2025 - House Journal
lower
Mar 13, 2025
Signed into law
Approved by Governor 3/12/2025 - Senate Journal
upper
Mar 12, 2025
Signed into law
Approved by Governor 3/12/2025
upper
Mar 11, 2025
Lower · Passed
House concurred in Senate amendment and passed bill (Roll No. 49)
lower
Mar 11, 2025
Upper · Passed
Senate amends House amendment and passed bill (Roll No. 89)
upper
Mar 7, 2025
Lower · Passed
Title amendment adopted (Voice vote)
lower
Mar 7, 2025
Lower · Passed
Passed House (Roll No. 37)
lower
Mar 6, 2025
Amended
Amendment rejected (Voice vote)
lower
Mar 6, 2025
Lower · Passed
Amendment adopted (Voice vote)
lower
Mar 6, 2025
Introduced
Amendment reported by the Clerk
lower
Mar 4, 2025
Introduced
Introduced in House
lower
Mar 3, 2025
Upper · Passed
Passed Senate (Roll No. 52)
upper
Feb 26, 2025
Upper · Passed
Committee substitute reported
upper
Feb 13, 2025
Introduced
Introduced in Senate
upper
Feb 13, 2025
Committee
To Judiciary
upper
0 primary · 1 co-sponsor
Sponsors
No sponsor information available.
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