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Senate Judiciary advances bill to define “male” and “female” in Montana code after heated hearing
Summary
Senate Bill 4-37, which would add statutory definitions of “male,” “female” and related terms across Montana code, advanced from the Senate Judiciary Committee on a 5–3 vote after hours of testimony from medical, legal and civil-rights witnesses.
The Senate Judiciary Committee voted 5–3 to advance Senate Bill 4-37, a measure that would add uniform statutory definitions for the words “male,” “female” and related terms across Montana’s code. Proponents said the bill brings clarity to state law; opponents argued it would harm transgender, intersex and nonbinary Montanans and likely trigger continued litigation.
The measure’s sponsor opened by telling the committee that “judges resolve disputes, but the legislature defines terms,” and said the bill’s purpose is to ensure the same definition of biological sex is used wherever the term appears in state law. The sponsor said the definitions largely mirror a bill considered last session that…
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