TICHENOR INTRODUCES LEGISLATION TO CLARIFY SEX-BASED CLASSIFICATIONS IN KENTUCKY
FRANKFORT, KY (Feb. 10, 2025) — Sen. Lindsey Tichenor, R-Smithfield, has introduced Senate Bill 116 (SB 116), also known as the Kentucky Women's Bill of Rights. It is a measure designed to provide clarity, consistency, and legal certainty regarding sex-based classifications in state law.
“I filed Senate Bill 116, known as the Kentucky Women's Bill of Rights, a measure designed to bring clarity and uniformity to sex-based classifications in state law,” said Tichenor. “The bill defines the truth of biological sex as a fixed trait determined at birth, defining key terms such as male, female, man, and woman. It also upholds the state’s commitment to privacy, safety, and fairness by allowing sex-based distinctions in spaces like athletics, prisons, locker rooms, and shelters. Furthermore, SB 116 mandates that public schools and government entities collecting vital statistics related to sex must classify individuals strictly as male or female.”
SB 116 affirms that biological differences between men and women are real, legally significant, and may warrant sex-based distinctions to uphold safety, privacy, and fairness. The bill ensures that state and local policies reflect these definitions and provides clear guidelines on the lawful application of sex-based classifications.
“This legislation safeguards women's rights, protects single-sex spaces, and ensures fairness in areas such as athletics, prisons, and other facilities,” Tichenor added. “The Kentucky Women's Bill of Rights is about maintaining consistency in law and ensuring that sex-based protections remain intact.”
The bill clarifies that sex discrimination laws should be interpreted as preventing unfair treatment between males and females, rather than prohibiting sex-based distinctions in areas where they are necessary for safety and fairness. SB 116 also establishes clear guidelines for how public entities collect and categorize sex-based data for public health, crime statistics, and other critical records.
SB 116 underscores Tichenor’s commitment to protecting women’s rights, safeguarding single-sex spaces, and ensuring that Kentucky law accurately reflects biological reality. By reinforcing sex-based protections, the bill upholds fairness, privacy, and safety for women across the commonwealth.
For more information on SB 116 and other legislative updates, visit Legislature.ky.gov.
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Sen. Lindsey Tichenor, R-Smithfield, represents the 6th Senate District, including Oldham and Trimble Counties and part of Jefferson County. Tichenor serves as vice chair of the Senate Education Committee. She is a member of the Commission on Race and Access to Opportunity statutory committee. She is also a member of the Senate Committees on Health Services; State and Local Government; and Veterans, Military Affairs, and Public Protection. Additionally, Tichenor serves as a liaison member of the Budget Review Subcommittee on Health and Family Services and as a member of the Education Assessment and Accountability Review Subcommittee.
For a high-resolution JPEG file of Tichenor please visit https://legislature.ky.gov/Legislators%20Full%20Res%20Images/senate106.jpg
