SALT LAKE CITY – A bill regarding the use of transgender restrooms has been approved by the Senate committee following major changes.
Originally, HB257 mandated that individuals use the restroom designated for their sex, unless they had undergone transgender surgery or had their gender officially changed on their birth certificate.
The bill was amended on Wednesday, and currently, transgender individuals are not prohibited from using a common sex-designated restroom. The bill now focuses on “the actions of those who engage in vulgar or offensive conduct in a private space, regardless of gender,” and “increases criminal charges for those engaging in such behavior.”
Instead, the bill now requires individuals to enter locker rooms and changing rooms that match their sex.
The bill states that “the goal remains the same: we want to make sure that everyone in Utah is comfortable.”
#BREAKING: The act dealing with bathroom/privacy access is being changed significantly.
Transgender people are no longer prohibited from using BATHROOMS of the sexual they identify with. However, a sexual title from LOCKER ROOMS is necessary. pic.twitter.com/YUiMN4AdBY
Lindsay Aerts (@LindsayOnAir) January 24, 2024
Some Republicans stood to congratulate the partner for making these significant changes so they could support the bill.
According to the revised bill, potential government buildings would need to provide more options for privacy in changing rooms and toughen criminal penalties for those who act offensively in a “privacy space.” It specifies increased penalties for both individuals and government organizations.
The bill mandates that for government entities, reports involving children, voyeurism, criminal trespass, and loitering in private areas must be reported to law enforcement; failure to do so could result in a $10,000 fine if the issue goes unanswered.
For individuals, the bill states that it would increase penalties for those who engage in the following crimes: lewdness, pornography, criminal trespass, or loitering in a private area. However, it did not specify what the enhanced charges would be.
We’ll keep you updated on this breaking news story.
