Senate amends "Protecting Women's Privacy" bill; changes and exemptions added

The Wyoming Senate adopted three second-reading amendments to House Bill 72, a measure addressing privacy in public spaces, and ordered the bill for third reading.

Senator Crum offered an amendment to change the bill's catch title from "Protecting Women's Privacy in Public Spaces Act" to "Protecting Privacy in Public Spaces Act." The chamber adopted that amendment by voice vote. Senator Larson successfully moved a separate amendment creating narrow exceptions for situations such as athletic team locker rooms when coaching staff are present and for state-owned residential facilities used by employees; the body adopted that change as well. A third amendment addressing application in changing areas and definitions was also adopted on the floor.

During debate, Senators raised concerns about legal clarity and unintended conflicts within definitions: Senator Barlow pointed out a possible internal inconsistency between requirements that people be "fully clothed at all times" and the statutory definition of a "changing area." Senator Ralphies and others questioned whether the statute would overregulate adult behavior in locker rooms; Senator Hutchings and Senator Nethercott argued the bill's language responds to privacy concerns expressed by many women and girls. Senator Scott noted the bill's catch title does not alter legal effect, but Senator Crum said the title better reflects the bill's application.

All adopted amendments were agreed by voice vote; no floor roll-call was recorded during the amendment votes. After the amendments were adopted, the Senate ordered House Bill 72 to be read a third time.