CHEYENNE – At least two Wyoming Freedom Caucus bills, one defining “woman” and another prohibiting DEI programs in state-funded entities, cleared the final hurdle in the Wyoming House of Representatives.
Both bills will now be sent to the Senate, where they’ll be assigned to committee. Senators will have the opportunity to vote on and amend these bills before they are sent back to the House.
On Monday, amendments were brought to both bills during third reading in the House, but all amendments failed. One notable amendment brought to House Bill 32, “What is a Woman Act,” was introduced by Rep. Ken Chestek, D-Laramie. Chestek’s amendment was to take out language in the bill that stated it was subject to intermediate scrutiny.
HB 32 provides statutory definitions for “man,” “woman” and “biological sex.” It also states that this bill is subject to intermediate scrutiny, should it be brought before the court. There are three levels of scrutiny used by courts: rational basis (lowest level of scrutiny), intermediate scrutiny and strict scrutiny…