House rejects amendment and passes athletics bill after lengthy debate over sex definitions and medical exams

The Wyoming House considered third-reading Amendment 1 to Senate File 44, legislation addressing intercollegiate athletics participation. Representative Jarvis offered the amendment to change the bill's definitional approach, proposing that verification rely on an "original birth certificate" rather than internal medical examinations.

Jarvis said he consulted attorneys and medical providers who told him the statute's prior wording could force intrusive examinations (bimanual exam or transvaginal ultrasound) to determine sex for athletic eligibility. He urged adopting a less-invasive approach: use an original birth certificate and the ability for courts to subpoena amendment records to show prior changes. Jarvis framed the amendment as a way to avoid invasive exams.

Representative Lawley and other members opposed the amendment, saying the House had repeatedly approved the existing definitions across several bills and that creating a new formulation now risked inconsistency and vagueness (noting the word "original" could be unclear). Representative Kelly raised state-to-state differences, noting some states allow an "X" marker on birth certificates. Debate focused on legal defensibility, practical verification across jurisdictions, and accommodating intersex conditions such as congenital adrenal hyperplasia.

Members voted on Amendment 1; the amendment failed. Senate File 44 was then placed for final passage. The chief clerk called the roll for final passage; the clerk announced the bill had passed the House with an affirmative majority (52 ayes, 8 no, 2 excused recorded on the roll call). Representative Jarvis and other speakers had emphasized avoiding invasive verification; opponents emphasized consistent, previously adopted definitions.

Ending: With House passage recorded, Senate File 44 moves forward under legislative procedure.