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@@-LEGISLATURE+ST+A+TEMENTOF-THE-STATE-OF-IDAHO-Sixty-eighth-Legislature-Second-Regular-Session---2026-IN-THE-HOUSE-OF-REPRESENTATIVES-HOUSE-BILL-NO.-607-BY-STATE-AFFAIRS-COMMITTEE-AN-ACT-1-RELATING-TO-PRIVACY-AND-SAFETY-IN-RESTROOMS-AND-CHANGING-FACILITIES;-AMEND---2-ING-TITLE-67,-IDAHO-CODE,-BY-THE-ADDITION-OF-A-NEW-CHAPTER-48,-TITLE-3-67,-IDAHO-CODE,-TO-PROVIDE-LEGISLATIVE-FINDINGS,-TO-DEFINE-TERMS,-4-TO-ESTABLISH-PROVISIONS-REGARDING-GOVERNMENT-BUILDING-RESTROOMS-AND-5-CHANGING-FACILITIES,-TO-PROVIDE-FOR-EXEMPTIONS,-TO-PROVIDE-FOR-REASON---6-ABLE-ACCOMMODATION,-TO-ESTABLISH-A-CIVIL-CAUSE-OF-ACTION,-TO-PROVIDE-7-FOR-PREEMPTION,-AND-TO-ESTABLISH-CERTAIN-LIMITATIONS;-AMENDING-TITLE-8-6,-IDAHO-CODE,-BY-THE-ADDITION-OF-A-NEW-CHAPTER-40,-TITLE-6,-IDAHO-CODE,-9-TO-PROVIDE-LEGISLATIVE-FINDINGS,-TO-DEFINE-TERMS,-TO-ESTABLISH-CERTAIN-10-DUTIES-OF-PLACES-OF-PUBLIC-ACCOMMODATION,-TO-PROVIDE-FOR-EXEMPTIONS,-TO-1-1-PROVIDE-FOR-REASONABLE-ACCOMMODATION,-TO-PROVIDE-FOR-CERTAIN-LIABILITY-12-FOR-PLACES-OF-PUBLIC-ACCOMMODATION,-TO-PROVIDE-FOR-PREEMPTION,-AND-TO-13-ESTABLISH-CERTAIN-LIMITATIONS;-PROVIDING-SEVERABILITY;-AND-DECLARING-14-AN-EMERGENCY-AND-PROVIDING-AN-EFFECTIVE-DATE.-15-Be-It-Enacted-by-the-Legislature-of-the-State-of-Idaho:-16-SECTION-1.-That-Title-67,-Idaho-Code,-be,-and-the-same-is-hereby-amended-17-by-the-addition-thereto-of-a-NEW-CHAPTER-,-to-be-known-and-designated-as-Chap---18-ter-48,-Title-67,-Idaho-Code,-and-to-read-as-follows:-19-CHAPTER-48-20-PROTECTING-PRIVACY-AND-SAFETY-IN-GOVERNMENT-BUILDINGS-21-67---4801.-LEGISLATIVE-FINDINGS.+PURPOSE+RS33183+/+H0607The-legislature-finds-and-declares-22-that:-23-(1)-There-are-real,-inherent,-and-enduring-physical-differences-be---24-tween-men-and-women.-25-(2)-Every-individual-retains-a-natural-right-to-privacy-and-safety,-es---26-pecially+Protecting+Privacy+and+Safetyin+Public+Buildings+Act+requires+that+government+buildingrestroomsandchangingfacilities-where-such-individual-might+mustbe-27+separated+on+the+basis+of+biological+sex+and+that+individuals+shall+make+use+of+the+facility+which+aligns+with+their+biological+sex.+The+legislation+also+clarifies+the+existing+common+law+doctrine+of+premises+liability+by+requiring+public+accommodations+to+take+reasonable+steps+to+protect+the+privacy+and+safety+of+their+customersin-a-partial-or-full-state-of-undress-in-the-presence-of-others.-28-(3)-Requiring-individuals-to-share-restrooms-and-changing-facilities-29-with-members-of-the-other-sex-infringes-on-their-interest-in-privacy-and-30-generates-potential-embarrassment,-shame,-and-psychological-injury-to-those-31-individuals.-32-(4)-Requiring-individuals-to-share-restrooms-and-changing-facilities-33-with-members-of-the-other-sex-creates-real-privacy-and-safety-concerns-by-34-increasing-the-likelihood-of-sexual-assault,-molestation,-rape,-voyeurism,-35-and-exhibitionism.-36-(5)-There+rest-rooms,+locker+rooms,+and+showers.+Necessary+exemptionsare-numerous-well---documented-examples-illustrating-that-37-there-are-real-privacy-and-safety-implications-when-members-of-one-sex-are-38-permitted-to-access-restrooms-and-changing-facilities-designated-for-use-by-39-the-other-sex.-40--2-(6)-The-legislature-has-the-clear-authority,-as-acknowledged-by-the-1-ninth-and-tenth-amendments-to-the-constitution-of-the-United-States,-to-enact-2-legislation-to-safeguard-the-natural-rights-of-privacy-and-safety.-3-(7)-A-policy-maintaining-sex---separated-restrooms-and-changing-facili---4-ties-in+provided+for+certain+cases,+andgovernment-buildings-is-substantially-related-to-the-important-gov---5-ernmental-interest-in-protecting-the-privacy,-safety,-and-dignity-of-indi---6-viduals-using-such-spaces.-7-67---4802.-DEFINITIONS.-For-the-purposes-of-this-chapter:-8-(1)-"Changing-facility"-means-a-facility-in-which-an-individual+entitiesmay-be-9-in-a-state-of-undress-in-the-presence-of-others,-including-a-locker-room,-10-changing-room,-or-shower-room.-1-1-(2)-"Female"-has-the-same-meaning-as-defined-in-section-73---114,-Idaho-12-Code.-13-(3)-"Government-building"-means+provide+reasonable+accommodations+forany-building-or-facility-owned-or-14-leased-by-a-government-entity-and-shall-include-any-building-or-facility-that-15-a-government-entity-leases-from-the-property-owner.-If-a-government-entity-16-leases-only-a-portion-of-a-building,-then-only-the-portion-of-the-building-17-leased-by-the-government-entity-shall-be-treated-as-a-government-building.-18-(4)-"Government-entity"-means-the-state-or-any-city,-county,-municipal---19-ity,-or-other-political-subdivision-or-administrative-unit-of-the-state.-20-(5)-"Male"-has-the-same-meaning-as-defined-in-section-73---114,-Idaho-21-Code.-22-(6)-"Sex"-has-the-same-meaning-as-defined-in-section-73---114,-Idaho-Code.-23-67---4803.-GOVERNMENT-BUILDING-RESTROOMS-AND-CHANGING-FACILITIES.-(1)-24-Every-government-building-restroom-or-changing-facility-accessible-by-mul---25-tiple-individuals-at-the-same-time-shall-be:-26-(a)-Designated-for-use-by-male-individuals-only-or-female-individuals-27-only;-and-28-(b)-Used-only-by-individuals-of-the-sex-corresponding-to-the-designa---29-tion-provided-for-in-paragraph-(a)-of-this-subsection.-30-(2)-No-individual-shall-enter-a-multi---occupancy-restroom-or-changing-31-facility-within-a-government-building-that-is-designated-for-one-(1)-sex-un---32-less-such-individual-is-a-member-of-that-sex.-33-(3)-The-government-entity-with-authority-over-the-government-building-34-shall-provide-its-users-with-privacy-from-members-of-the-other-sex-in-every-35-restroom-and-changing-facility.-36-67---4804.-EXEMPTIONS.-This-chapter-shall-not-apply:-37-(1)-To-single---occupancy-restrooms-and-changing-facilities;-38-(2)-To-single---occupancy-restrooms-and-changing-facilities-that-are-39-conspicuously-designated-for-family-use;-40-(3)-To-restrooms-and-changing-facilities-that-have-been-temporarily-41-designated-for-use-by-the-other-sex;-42-(4)-To-an-individual-who-uses-a-restroom-or-changing-facility-desig---43-nated-for-the-other-sex-if-such-restroom-or-changing-facility-is-the-only-re---44-stroom-or-changing-facility-reasonably-available-at-the-time-of-the-individ---45-ual's-use-of-the-facility,-provided-that-such-individual-ensures-that-no-per---46--3-son-of-the-opposite-sex-is-using-the-restroom-or-changing-facility-prior-to-1-entering-the-facility;-2-(5)-To-an-individual-employed-to-clean,-maintain,-or-inspect-a-restroom-3-or-changing-facility-while-such-individual-is-actively-engaged-in-the-activ---4-ity-for-which-the-individual-has-been-employed,-provided-that-such-individ---5-ual-ensures-no-person-of-the-opposite-sex-is-using-the-restroom-or-changing-6-facility-prior-to-entering-the-facility;-7-(6)-To-an-individual-who-enters-a-restroom-or-changing-facility-to-ren---8-der-medical-assistance;-9-(7)-To-a-law-enforcement-official-engaged-in-law-enforcement-activities-10-or-supervising-any-arrestee,-detainee,-or-inmate-in-a-custodial-setting;-1-1-(8)-To-an-individual-who-enters-a-restroom-or-changing-facility-to-ac---12-company-and-render-assistance-to-apersonwhois+unwilling+or+unable+to+use+the+multi-occupancy+facility+designated+for+their+biological+sex.+FISCAL+NOTE+This+legislation+causes+no+increase+or+decreasein-need-of-assistance-if-such-13-person-rendering-assistance-is:-14-(a)-A-family-member-or+revenue,+or+additional+expenditure+of+funds+at+the+state+or+local+level+of+government;+therefore,+this+legislation+has+no+fiscal+impact.+Contact:+Representative+T+ed+Hill+(208)+332-1000+DISCLAIMER:+This+statement+of+purpose+and+fiscal+note+ar+ea-legal-guardian-of-the-person-needing-assis---15-tance;-or-16-(b)-The-designee-of-the-person-in-need-of-assistance-and-the-designee-is-17-not-a-member-of-the-designated-sex-for-the-single---sex-restroom-or-chang---18-ing-facility.-19-(9)-To-a-minor-child-who-is-in-need-of-assistance-and,-for-the-purposes-20-of-receiving-that-assistance,-is-accompanied+mer+e+attachment+to+this+bill+and+pr+epar+edbya-family-member,-a-legal-21-guardian,-or-the-individual's-designee-who+pr+oponent+of+the+bill.+Itis-a-member-of-the-designated-sex-22-for-the-single---sex-restroom-or-changing-facility;-23-(10)-To-coaching-staff-and-personnel-during-athletic-events,-provided-24-that-such-individuals-take-reasonable-steps-to-ensure-that-no-person-is-in-a-25-state-of-undress-prior-to-entering-the-facility;-or-26-(11)-During+neither+intended+asan-ongoing-natural-disaster-or-emergency,-or-when-necessary-27-to-prevent-a-serious-threat-to-good-order-or-public-safety.-28-67---4805.-REASONABLE-ACCOMMODATION.-(1)-A-government-entity-with-au---29-thority-over+expr+ession+of+legislative+intent+nor+intended+forany-government-building-may-provide-a-reasonable-accommodation-30-to-any-individual-who-for-any-reason-is-unwilling-or-unable-touse-a-multi---oc---31-cupancy-restroom-or-changing-facility-designated-for-the-individual's-sex-in-32-a-government-building.-33-(2)-A-reasonable-accommodation-shall-not-include-access-to-a-restroom-34-or-changing-facility-that-is-designated-for-use-by-members-of-the-other-sex-35-while-individuals-of-the-other-sex-are-present-or-could-be-present.-36-67---4806.-CIVIL-CAUSE-OF-ACTION.-(1)-Any-individual-who,-while-access---37-ing-or-using-a-government-building-multi---occupancy-restroom-or-changing-fa---38-cility-designated-for-use-by-the-individual's-sex,-encounters-a-member-of-the-39-other-sex-shall-have-a-private-cause-of-action-against-the-government-entity-40-with-authority-over-the-government-building-if:-41-(a)-The-government-entity-gave-the-member-of-the-other-sex-permission-to-42-use-the-restroom-or-changing-facility-designated-for-use-by-the-individ---43-ual's-sex;-or-44-(b)-The-government-entity-failed-to-take-reasonable-steps-to-prohibit-45-the-member-of-the-other-sex-from-accessing-the-restroom-or-changing-fa---46-cility-designated-for-use-by-the-individual's-sex.-47--4-(2)-Any-civil-action-arising-under-this-chapter-must-be-commenced-1-within-two-(2)-years-after-the-cause-of-action-has-occurred.-2-(3)-Any-plaintiff-who-prevails-in-an-action-brought-under-this-chap---3-ter-may-recover-from-the-defendant-government-entity-ten-thousand-dollars-4-($10,000)-for-each-instance-that-the-plaintiff-encountered-a-member-of-the-5-other-sex-while-accessing-or-using-a-government-building-restroom-or-chang---6-ing-facility-designated-for-use-by-the-plaintiff's-sex.-The-plaintiff-may-7-also-recover-monetary-damages-from-the-defendant-government-entity-for-all-8-psychological,-emotional,-and-physical-harm-suffered.-9-(4)-Any-plaintiff-who-prevails-in-an-action-brought-under-this-chapter-10-is-entitled-to-recover-reasonable-attorney's-fees-and-costs-from-the-defen---1-1-dant-government-entity.-12-(5)-Nothing-in-this-chapter-limits-other-remedies-at-law-or-equity-13-available-to-the-plaintiff-against-the-government-entity.-14-67---4807.-PREEMPTION.-This-chapter-preempts-any-law,-regulation,-pol---15-icy,-or-decree-enacted-or-adopted-by-any-government-entity-within-the-state-16-that-purports-to-permit-or-require-government-entities-to-allow-individuals-17-to-use-restrooms-and-changing-facilities-in-government-buildings-designated-18-for-use-by-the-other-sex.-19-67---4808.-LIMITATIONS.-(1)-The-provisions-of-this-chapter-shall-not-ap---20-ply-to-any-covered-entity-as-that-term-is-defined-in-section-67---9801,-Idaho-21-Code.-22-(2)-The-provisions-of-this-chapter-shall-not-apply-to-any-public-school-23-as-that-term-is-defined-in-section-33---6702,-Idaho-Code.-24-(3)-Nothing-in-this-chapter-shall-be-construed-to-require-any-govern---25-ment-entity-to-unlawfully-violate-the-terms-of-an-existing-lease-agreement.-26-SECTION-2.-That-Title-6,-Idaho-Code,-be,-and-the-same-is-hereby-amended-27-by-the-addition-thereto-of-a-NEW-CHAPTER-,-to-be-known-and-designated-as-Chap---28-ter-40,-Title-6,-Idaho-Code,-and-to-read-as-follows:-29-CHAPTER-40-30-LIABILITY-FOR-PLACES-OF-PUBLIC-ACCOMMODATION-31-6---4001.-LEGISLATIVE-FINDINGS.-The-legislature-finds-and-declares-32-that:-33-(1)-Land-possessors-have-a-duty-of-care-at-common-law-to-maintain-their-34-premises-in-such-a-way-as-to-reasonably-prevent-harm-to-those-entering-their-35-property.-36-(2)-Idaho-"adheres-to-the-traditional-common---law-jurisprudence-that-37-developed-around-premises-liability."-Oswald-v.-Costco-Wholesale-Corpora---38-tion,-167-Idaho-540,-551-(2020).-39-(3)-A-land-possessor-owes-an-"affirmative-duty"-to-protect-members-of-40-the-public-he-has-invited-when-he-"open[ed]-his-property-to-the-public-for-41-business,"-which-reflects-the-"age---old-principle"-that-an-invitee-is-"enti---42-tled-to-visit-and-assume-that-the-premises-have-been-made-safe-for-his-visit."-43-Id.-at-552.-44--5-(4)-Land-possessors-"can-be-liable-for-failing-to-protect-invitees-1-against-the-foreseeable-negligence-or-criminal-acts-of-third-parties."-Id.-2-at-553.-3-(5)-Allowing-individuals-to-share-restrooms-or-changing-facilities-4-with-members-of-the-other-sex-generates-potential-embarrassment,-shame,-and-5-psychological-injury-to-invitees,-as-well-as-increasing-the-likelihood-of-6-sexual-assault,-molestation,-rape,-voyeurism,-and-exhibitionism.-7-(6)-Land-possessors-owe-a-duty-to-protect-the-privacy-and-safety-of-in---8-vitees-from-members-of-the-other-sex-in-restrooms-and-changing-facilities-9-provided-to-their-customers-or-the-public.-10-6---4002.-DEFINITIONS.-For-the-purposes-of-this-chapter:-1-1-(1)-"Changing-facility"-means-a-facility-in-which-an-individual-may-be-12-in-a-state-of-undress-in-the-presence-of-others,+outside+of+the+legislative+pr+ocess,including-a-locker-room,-13-changing-room,-or-shower-room.-14-(2)-"Place-of-public-accommodation"-means-a-business,-accommodation,-15-refreshment,-entertainment,-recreation,-or-transportation-facility-of-any-16-kind,-whether-licensed-or-not,-whose-goods,-services,-facilities,-privi---17-leges,-advantages,-or-accommodations-are-extended,-offered,-sold,-or-other---18-wise-made-available-to-the-public.-19-(3)-"Sex"-has-the-same-meaning-as-defined-in-section-73---114,-Idaho-Code.-20-6---4003.-DUTIES-OF-PLACES-OF-PUBLIC-ACCOMMODATION.-Every-place-of-pub---21-lic-accommodation-shall-have-a-duty-to-take-reasonable-steps-to-ensure-that-22-the-privacy-and-safety-of-an-individual-is-protected-from-members-of-the-23-other-sex-in-every-restroom-or-changing-facility-maintained-by-the-place-of-24-public-accommodation.-25-6---4004.-EXEMPTIONS.-It-shall-not-be-a-breach-of-the-duty-provided-in-26-section-6---4003,-Idaho-Code,-if-the-place-of-public-accommodation:-27-(1)-Provides-single---occupancy-restrooms-or-changing-facilities;-28-(2)-Provides-single---occupancy-restrooms-or-changing-facilities-that-29-are-conspicuously-designated-for-family-use;-30-(3)-Temporarily-designates-a-restroom-or-changing-facility-for-use-by-31-the-other-sex;-32-(4)-Allows-an-individual-of-one-sex-to-use-a-restroom-or-changing-facil---33-ity-designated-for-the-other-sex-if-such-restroom-or-changing-facility-is-the-34-only-restroom-or-changing-facility-reasonably-available-at-the-time-of-the-35-individual's-use-of-the-facility;-36-(5)-Allows-an-individual-employed-to-clean,-maintain,-or-inspect-a-re---37-stroom-or-changing-facility,-while-such-individual-is-actively-engaged-in-38-the-activity-for-which-the-individual-has-been-employed;-39-(6)-Allows-an-individual-to-enter-a-restroom-or-changing-facility-to-40-render-medical-assistance;-41-(7)-Allows-a-law-enforcement-official-engaged-in-law-enforcement-activ---42-ities-or-supervising-any-arrestee,-detainee,-or-inmate-in-a-custodial-set---43-ting-to-enter-a-restroom-or-changing-facility;-44-(8)-Allows-an-individual-to-enter-a-restroom-or-changing-facility-to-ac---45-company-and-render-assistance-to-a-person-who-is-in-need-of-assistance-when-46-the-person-rendering-assistance-is:-47--6-(a)-A-family-member-or-a-legal-guardian;-or-1-(b)-The-designee-of-the-person-in-need-of-assistance-and-the-designee-is-2-not-a-member-of-the-designated-sex-for-the-single---sex-restroom-or-chang---3-ing-facility.-4-(9)-Allows-a-minor-child-who-is-in-need-of-assistance-to-accompany-a-fam---5-ily-member,-a-legal-guardian,-or-other-designee-into-a-restroom-or-changing-6-facility,-provided-that-the-family-member,-legal-guardian,-or-other-designee-7-is-a-member-of-the-designated-sex-for-the-single---sex-restroom-or-changing-fa---8-cility;-9-(10)-Allows-coaching-staff-and-personnel-during-athletic-events-to-ac---10-cess-a-restroom-or-changing-facility;-or-1-1-(11)-Allows-access-to-a-restroom-or-changing-facility-during-an-ongoing-12-natural-disaster-or-emergency,-or-when-necessary-to-prevent-a-serious-threat-13-to-good-order-or-public-safety.-14-6---4005.-REASONABLE-ACCOMMODATIONS.-Nothing-in-this-chapter-shall-be-15-construed-to-prohibit-a-place-of-public-accommodation-from-providing-a-rea---16-sonable-accommodation-to-any-individual-who-for-any-reason-is-unwilling-or-17-unable-to-use-a-multi---occupancy-restroom-or-changing-facility-designated-for-18-that-individual's-sex,-provided-that-a-place-of-public-accommodation-shall-19-not-provide-a-reasonable-accommodation-that-results-in-the-privacy-or-safety-20-of-another-individual-being-violated-by-a-member-of-the-other-sex.-21-6---4006.-LIABILITY-FOR-PLACES-OF-PUBLIC-ACCOMMODATION.-(1)-A-place-of-22-public-accommodation-that-breaches-its-duty-of-care-as-described-in-section-23-6---4003,-Idaho-Code,-shall-be-liable-for-all-damages-attributable-to-its-neg---24-ligence,-including-any-psychological,-emotional,-and-physical-harm.-25-(2)-It-shall-not-be-a-breach-of-the-duty-provided-in-section-6---4003,-26-Idaho-Code,-if-the-privacy-or-safety-of-an-individual-was-violated-because-27-such-individual-entered-a-restroom-or-changing-facility-designated-for-use-28-by-the-other-sex.-29-(3)-Any-civil-action-arising-under-this-chapter-must-be-commenced-30-within-two-(2)-years-after-the-cause-of-action-has-occurred.-31-(4)-Nothing-in-this-chapter-limits-other-remedies-at-law-or-equity-32-available-to-the-plaintiff.-33-6---4007.-PREEMPTION.-This-chapter-preempts-any-law,-regulation,-pol---34-icy,-or-decree-enacted-or-adopted-by-any-government-entity-within-the-state-35-that-purports-to-permit-or-require-places-of-public-accommodation-to-permit-36-individuals-to-use-restrooms-and-changing-facilities-designated-for-use-by-37-the-other-sex.-38-6---4008.-LIMITATIONS.-(1)-The-provisions-of-this-chapter-shall-not-ap---39-ply-to-any-covered-entity-as-that-term-is-defined-in-section-67---9801,-Idaho-40-Code.-41-(2)-The-provisions-of-this-chapter-shall-not-apply-to-any-public-school-42-as-that-term-is-defined-in-section-33---6702,-Idaho-Code.-43-(3)-The-provisions-of-this-chapter-shall-not-apply-to-any-government-en---44-tity-as-that-term-is-defined-in-section-67---4802,-Idaho-Code.-45--7-SECTION-3.-SEVERABILITY.-The-provisions-of-this-act-are-hereby-declared-1-to-be-severable-and-if-any-provision-of-this-act-or-the-application-of-such-2-provision-to-any-person-or-circumstance-is-declared-invalid-for-any-reason,-3-such-declaration-shall-not-affect-the-validity-of-the-remaining-portions-of-4-this-act.-5-SECTION-4.-An-emergency-existing-therefor,-which-emergency-is-hereby-6-declared-to-exist,-this-act-shall-be-in-full-force-and-effect-on-and-after-7-July-1,-2026.-8+judicial+r+eview+(Joint+Rule+18).+Statement+of+Purpose+/+Fiscal+Note+Bill+SOP/FN+INTRODUCED:+02/09/2026,+8:30+AM
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