Utah Republicans have sent a transgender bathroom bill, HB257, to Gov. Spencer Cox, which mandates the use of bathrooms and locker rooms in government buildings and public schools based on sex characteristics rather than gender identity.
According to KSL.com, “Six lawmakers met briefly before adopting and approving a fifth substitute version of HB257, which bill sponsor Rep. Kera Birkeland, R-Morgan, said makes it ‘extremely clear’ that students cannot be charged simply for using a restroom that doesn’t align with their sex designation at birth.”
The bill includes provisions for transgender individuals to use preferred bathrooms in specific settings, but generally bars them from using facilities aligning with their transgender identity unless they have undergone surgical procedures and official sex designation changes.
Utah Democrats are wearing all-black to mourn the passing of HB257 and HB261
HB257 bans men from girls bathrooms in schools and HB261 bans DEI from public education: pic.twitter.com/KVz0I8yrSb
— End Wokeness (@EndWokeness) January 25, 2024
It also requires the construction of more single-use and unisex bathrooms at state-funded facilities and calls for privacy plans in schools for students uncomfortable with group bathrooms.
“The legislation also requires schools to create ‘privacy plans’ for trans students and others that may not be comfortable using group bathrooms, for instance by allowing them to use a faculty bathroom — something opponents say may ‘out’ transgender children,” according to ABC News.
The bill has sparked debate, with transgender activists advocating for the right to use facilities based on their gender identity, while opponents raise concerns about safety and privacy issues, citing examples of crimes and discomfort in shared spaces.
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