Bill > HB2406

This bill aims to regulate language used in West Virginia state government communications by prohibiting what the bill describes as "exclusionary, sexist language" and mandating specific terminology related to gender and biological functions. The legislation requires all state offices, departments, boards, and commissions to replace certain gender-neutral or inclusive terms with what the bill considers more traditional, female-specific language. Specifically, terms like "pregnant people", "chestfeeding", "birthing person", and "menstruating person" must be replaced with terms like "pregnant women", "breastfeeding", "birth mom", and "woman". The bill also targets alternative spellings of "woman" like "womxn" and "womyn", mandating their replacement with the standard spelling. The proposed changes would apply to all official government documents, websites, literature, and in-person communications, with an implementation date of June 1, 2025. The bill appears to be a response to what its proponents view as overly inclusive language that they believe diminishes the specificity of female experiences and terminology.

Health and Social Services

http://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Status/Bills_history.cfm?input=2406&year=2025&sessiontype=RS&btype=bill