(The Center Square) – Michigan Republicans introduced a bill in the state House this week requiring that certain education institutions provide private bathrooms, ensuring students’ privacy “from individuals of the opposite biological sex.”
The bill, titled the Student Restroom Privacy Act, will be considered by the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
Like legislation passed in other states, House Bill 4024 would require multiple occupancy restrooms, locker rooms, changing rooms, and shower rooms must be used exclusively by individuals matching their biological sex, as “stated on the individual’s original birth certificate.”
LGBTQ+ advocates have already labeled the bill as “anti-trans.”
No Democrats have shown support for the legislation, while 22 Republican House members have already joined it as sponsors.
With Republicans only controlling the House, it is unlikely the legislation stands a chance of passage, especially without support from Democrats.
The bill would apply to all public and private schools, colleges, academies, and other academic institutions in the state. It does detail exceptions to the rule, which would include specific circumstances such as custodial work, maintenance, medical assistance, accompanying a student who needs help, receiving assistance, or when a facility is “temporarily designated for use by those of the individual’s biological sex.”
As of Nov. 14, 13 states have so-called “bathroom bills” in place, limiting access to bathrooms to biological sex.
The same day this bathroom bill was introduced, Rep. Jaime Greene, R-Richmond, introduced legislation which would also require that “publicly funded individual sports programs” distribute awards, rankings, and records of outcomes consistent with each athlete’s biological sex.
House Bill 4031, known as the Female Athletics Integrity of Records Act, was also referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
“The integrity of women’s sports is at stake, and we must take action to preserve the opportunities that generations of women have worked so hard to achieve,” Greene said. “This legislation is about fairness, equal opportunity, and protecting the future of women’s athletics in our state.”
