West Virginia Senate Bill 456 (SB 456), also known as the Riley Gaines Act or Stand with Women Legislation, is a 2025 law in the state of West Virginia that modifies the definitions of man, woman, and sex in state law, thereby restricting access to certain sex-designated spaces. It was signed into law by Governor Patrick Morrisey on March 12, 2025 after passing the legislature the previous day. It took effect on July 9, 2025.
The law affects transgender West Virginians, particularly trans women. The law is named after Riley Gaines, a conservative activist who opposes transgender women in girls' sports and facilities.
SB 456 defines certain gender and sex-related terms in state law, such as male, female, and sex, among others. More specifically, it ties those definitions to that of biological sex. An amendment was included so the law could not be used to perform "genital examinations" so as to determine the sex of minors.
SB 456 is supported by the Alliance Defending Freedom. Patrick Morrisey, who signed the bill into law, claimed it would help fight "radical gender ideology".
The only member of the West Virginia Senate to vote against SB 456, Joey Garcia, opposed the bill because of statements of other West Virginians who were or would be harmed by the bill.