Legislation gets heated as hot topic bills cross the floor
CHEYENNE, Wyo. (Wyoming News Now) - There was a lot of commotion today in the legislature on Thursday as folks got heated over some hot-topic bills.
Thursday morning, the senate signed off on the third reading of the child abuse-change of sex bill. It passed 22 to 9.
The moment came to a head when a mother shouted insults from the gallery to the floor as the bill got voted through.
The chambers took a brief recess to establish decorum as police officers rushed to the third floor to escort the women out.
Witnesses said they were shocked at what they saw.
“She jumped up and said you suck or something to that effect. And walked out very upset obviously, which some folks get very emotionally invested in these bills,” said Keith Hamilton, Witness.
The Senate President ran into the woman on her way out and spoke to this mother.
“She’s got, I believe four children who work at various places across the state. They are Wyoming college graduates, really a nice looking family. Very upset it hit her right at home,” said Sen. Ogden Driskill, S.D. 1
Many lawmakers say this bill supports an age of majority for a reason, but some parents understand.
“I don’t know how to say if I’m right or wrong on it. If I had a child that was there, that really wanted a sex change. I couldn’t tell you where I’d be at because we all love our kids,” said Driskill.
Another controversial bill got less fanfare.
The student eligibility in interscholastic sports bill that garnered attention for trans athletes passed through the Appropriations committee, receiving 5-thousand dollars in funding for sports.
The crimes of obscenity revisions failed in Committee 6 to 3.
This would have redefined child sexual exploitation to include obscenity in course material or books in Schools, Colleges, Universities, museums or libraries.
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