PIERRE, SD — Today, Independent Women applauds South Dakota Governor Larry Rhoden for boldly standing with women and signing Independent Women’s Stand with Women legislation (House Bill 1259) into law. The legislation defines “male” and “female” terms and protects single-sex spaces in public schools, such as changing rooms, restrooms, and sleeping quarters. South Dakota is now the 14th state to adopt laws inspired by Independent Women’s Stand With Women model.
Now signed into law by Governor Rhoden, HB 1259:
- Defines sex-based terms; and
- Protects single-sex spaces in all public schools.
Cody Grace, a South Dakota father who shared his story with Independent Women’s grassroots storytelling and original journalism arm, IW Features, testified in support of the legislation. Grace shared his perspective with the Legislature of having to battle with school board members and administrators after his teenage daughters were confronted with a male in their South Dakota high school girls’ bathroom.
Independent Women Senior Legal Advisor Beth Parlato also issued a letter in support of the legislation, echoing Grace’s calls for South Dakota to safeguard single-sex spaces in public schools.
Governor Rhoden’s signature follows the momentum of pro-woman policies taking place across the country, thanks to a surge of support among voters driven by Independent Women’s “Stand With Women” initiative in the 2024 election to protect women’s single-sex spaces.
“South Dakota is a place where commonsense values remain common, and this bill reinforces that fact,” said Governor Larry Rhoden. “This bill promotes strong family values, safety in education, and freedom from the ‘woke’ agenda like what has happened in too many other places.”
Senator Mykala Voita (SD District 21), sponsor of HB 1259, said, “With the approval of this legislation, the State of South Dakota affirms that we value the privacy, safety, and dignity of our citizens—especially our children. Clear policy gives parents peace of mind that their children’s most private spaces will be safeguarded. Today, common decency and rational thought prevails in South Dakota.”
“With the signing of HB 1259, we are reaffirming South Dakota’s commitment to our children’s safety, privacy, and well-being,” said Cody Grace, an IWFeatures storyteller. “This law ensures parents have transparency in school policies while providing students with the secure spaces they deserve. Every child should feel safe at school; this legislation is a critical step in protecting that right.”
Independent Women Senior Legal Advisor Beth Parlato said, “HB 1259 rightly addresses the concerns of parents like Cody Grace who fear their daughters will be exposed to men in some of the most vulnerable single-sex spaces in public schools. Thank you to the South Dakota Legislature for passing this common sense legislation and to Governor Rhoden for signing it into law and ensuring the safety, privacy, and rights of over 280,000 women and girls in South Dakota. We must have legal standards for single-sex spaces.”
South Dakota is now the 14th state to adopt laws inspired by Independent Women’s Stand with Women model, joining Kansas, Tennessee, Idaho, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Nebraska, Arkansas, Alabama, Iowa, Indiana, West Virginia, Wyoming, and soon Montana in affecting the lives of over 23 million women and girls.
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