Signed by Governor Larry Rhoden

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to concur with Senate amendments and pass a bill that prohibits unauthorized access to certain "Multi-occupancy rooms" such as men's and women's bathrooms in schools and state buildings in South Dakota.

Highlights:

• Prohibits unauthorized access to certain “Multi-occupancy rooms” such as men’s and women’s bathrooms and changing rooms in schools and state buildings (Sec. 1).

• Requires that public schools designate any multi-occupancy changing room, restroom, or sleeping quarters for use exclusively by females or for use exclusively by males (Sec. 1).

• Defines “changing room” in this bill as a room or area in which an individual may be in a state of undress in the presence of others (Sec. 1).

• Defines “female” for this bill's purposes as an individual who naturally has, had, will have, or would have, but for a congenital anomaly or intentional or unintentional disruption, the reproductive system that produces, transports, and utilizes eggs for fertilization (Sec. 1).

• Defines “male” for this bill's purposes as an individual who naturally has, had, will have, or would have, but for a congenital anomaly or intentional or unintentional disruption, the reproductive system that produces, transports, and utilizes sperm for fertilization (Sec. 1).

• Exempts the following situations from this bill's prohibitions, including (Sec. 9):

• An individual who accompanies a child under the age of 10, if the individual is the child's parent or lawful chaperone;

• An individual who accompanies another individual requiring assistance because of age or a disability;

• A law enforcement officer or fire official acting in an official capacity;

• An individual providing emergency medical assistance; or

• An individual providing custodial, maintenance, or inspection services, provided the changing room, restroom, or shower room is unoccupied.

• Requires that any civil action brought pursuant to this section must be initiated within 2 years of the violation (Sec. 8).

• Specifies that an individual who is aggrieved under this section and prevails in court may recover reasonable attorney fees and costs from the state or offending political subdivision (Sec. 8).

• Specifies that the provisions of this bill shall take effect immediately upon passage and approval by the Governor (Sec. 10).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to amend and pass a bill that prohibits unauthorized access to certain "Multi-occupancy rooms" such as men's and women's bathrooms in schools and state buildings in South Dakota.

Highlights:

• Prohibits unauthorized access to certain “Multi-occupancy rooms” such as men’s and women’s bathrooms and changing rooms in schools and state buildings (Sec. 1).

• Requires that public schools designate any multi-occupancy changing room, restroom, or sleeping quarters for use exclusively by females or for use exclusively by males (Sec. 1).

• Defines “changing room” in this bill as a room or area in which an individual may be in a state of undress in the presence of others (Sec. 1).

• Defines “female” for this bill's purposes as an individual who naturally has, had, will have, or would have, but for a congenital anomaly or intentional or unintentional disruption, the reproductive system that produces, transports, and utilizes eggs for fertilization (Sec. 1).

• Defines “male” for this bill's purposes as an individual who naturally has, had, will have, or would have, but for a congenital anomaly or intentional or unintentional disruption, the reproductive system that produces, transports, and utilizes sperm for fertilization (Sec. 1).

• Exempts the following situations from this bill's prohibitions, including (Sec. 9):

• An individual who accompanies a child under the age of 10, if the individual is the child's parent or lawful chaperone;

• An individual who accompanies another individual requiring assistance because of age or a disability;

• A law enforcement officer or fire official acting in an official capacity;

• An individual providing emergency medical assistance; or

• An individual providing custodial, maintenance, or inspection services, provided the changing room, restroom, or shower room is unoccupied.

• Requires that any civil action brought pursuant to this section must be initiated within 2 years of the violation (Sec. 8).

• Specifies that an individual who is aggrieved under this section and prevails in court may recover reasonable attorney fees and costs from the state or offending political subdivision (Sec. 8).

• Specifies that the provisions of this bill shall take effect immediately upon passage and approval by the Governor (Sec. 10).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that prohibits unauthorized access to certain "Multi-occupancy rooms" such as men's and women's bathrooms in schools and state buildings in South Dakota.

Highlights:

• Prohibits unauthorized access to certain “Multi-occupancy rooms” such as men’s and women’s bathrooms and changing rooms in schools and state buildings (Sec. 1).

• Requires that public schools designate any multi-occupancy changing room, restroom, or sleeping quarters for use exclusively by females or for use exclusively by males (Sec. 1).

• Defines “changing room” in this bill as a room or area in which an individual may be in a state of undress in the presence of others (Sec. 1).

• Defines “female” for this bill's purposes as an individual who naturally has, had, will have, or would have, but for a congenital anomaly or intentional or unintentional disruption, the reproductive system that produces, transports, and utilizes eggs for fertilization (Sec. 1).

• Defines “male” for this bill's purposes as an individual who naturally has, had, will have, or would have, but for a congenital anomaly or intentional or unintentional disruption, the reproductive system that produces, transports, and utilizes sperm for fertilization (Sec. 1).

• Exempts the following situations from this bill's prohibitions, including (Sec. 9):

• An individual who accompanies a child under the age of 10, if the individual is the child's parent or lawful chaperone;

• An individual who accompanies another individual requiring assistance because of age or a disability;

• A law enforcement officer or fire official acting in an official capacity;

• An individual providing emergency medical assistance; or

• An individual providing custodial, maintenance, or inspection services, provided the changing room, restroom, or shower room is unoccupied.

• Requires that any civil action brought pursuant to this section must be initiated within 2 years of the violation (Sec. 8).

• Specifies that an individual who is aggrieved under this section and prevails in court may recover reasonable attorney fees and costs from the state or offending political subdivision (Sec. 8).

• Specifies that the provisions of this bill shall take effect immediately upon passage and approval by the Governor (Sec. 10).

Full Bill Text