House Bill 257, which initially restricted access to public facilities and locker rooms in Utah based on the sex designated at birth, has been replaced by a completely new legislation introduced by the Utah State Senate. The substituted bill, which focuses on “actions” rather than sex or gender identity, was introduced by Sen. Dan McCay (R-Riverton).
The bill does not specify who is permitted to enter a public restroom designated for a specific sex. However, it increases legal penalties for those who engage in “offensive” behavior in public spaces. Under the newly passed bill, transgender restrictions also apply to changing areas, with some exceptions, in government buildings.
The bill, which has generated debate among Utahns and lawmakers from the start, passed with a 20-7 majority in its first vote in the Senate and will now return to the House for consideration.
Sen. Daniel Thatcher (R-West Valley City) thanked McCay for removing the sex designation from the bill and expressed hope that it would be sufficient to gain community support.
Equality Utah stated they would review the costs.
The original version of the bill, sponsored by Rep. Kera Birkeland (R-Morgan), required transgender students to use private, single-occupancy restrooms, allowing transgender individuals to use gendered restrooms of their choice only after undergoing sex-reassignment surgery and changing their gender on a birth certificate.
Though the bill would have allowed for the creation of more unisex restrooms, it became a contentious issue, with some arguing that it targets transgender individuals.
