Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to concur with House amendments and pass a bill that requires individuals to use restrooms in government buildings in Kansas according to their biological sex.

Highlights:

• Defines “multiple-occupancy private space” as a facility designated for simultaneous use by more than one individual who may be in a state of undress, including restrooms, locker rooms, changing rooms, or shower rooms (Sec. 1).

• Requires the governing body or chief administrator of each public building to designate each multiple-occupancy private space in the building for use only by individuals of one sex (Sec. 1).

• Authorizes individuals to enter such spaces designated for the opposite sex for the following purposes (Sec. 1):

• Custodial purposes;

• Maintenance or inspection;

• To render medical or other emergency assistance;

• To accompany and assist an individual who needs assistance using the facility;

• Law enforcement purposes;

• To assist in preventing a serious threat to order or safety; or

• To provide coaching or athletic training during athletic events, provided that such individual is a coach or athletic trainer and has ensured no individuals of the opposite sex are in a state of undress prior to entering.

• Authorizes a child under the age of nine to enter a multiple-occupancy private space designated for use by the opposite sex if accompanied by a caregiver (Sec. 1).

• Establishes a civil penalty for governmental entities that violate this section of $25,000 for a first violation, and $125,000 for each subsequent violation, where each day constitutes a separate violation (Sec. 1).

• Specifies that it is a violation of this section for an individual to enter a multiple-occupancy private space designated for use by the opposite sex, and establishes the following penalties (Sec. 1):

• A written notice upon first violation;

• A civil penalty of $1,000 for a second violation; and

• A class B misdemeanor for a third or subsequent violation.

• Requires any birth certificate issued prior to July 1, 2026 that identifies a sex contrary to the state definition to be considered invalid (Sec. 2).

• Defines “gender,” for the purpose of driver’s licensing, to mean the same as “sex” (Sec. 3).

• Requires any driver’s license issued prior to July 1, 2026 that identifies a sex contrary to the state definition to be considered invalid (Sec. 4).

• Repeals the definition of “gender” which defines it as the psychological, behavioral, social, and cultural aspects of being male or female, and instead defines “gender” as an individual’s biological sex at birth (Sec. 5-6).

• Specifies that this Act takes effect after its publication in the Kansas register (Sec. 9).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to amend and pass a bill that requires individuals to use restrooms in government buildings in Kansas according to their biological sex.

Highlights:

• Defines “multiple-occupancy private space” as a facility designated for simultaneous use by more than one individual who may be in a state of undress, including restrooms, locker rooms, changing rooms, or shower rooms (Sec. 1).

• Requires the governing body or chief administrator of each public building to designate each multiple-occupancy private space in the building for use only by individuals of one sex (Sec. 1).

• Authorizes individuals to enter such spaces designated for the opposite sex for the following purposes (Sec. 1):

• Custodial purposes;

• Maintenance or inspection;

• To render medical or other emergency assistance;

• To accompany and assist an individual who needs assistance using the facility;

• Law enforcement purposes;

• To assist in preventing a serious threat to order or safety; or

• To provide coaching or athletic training during athletic events, provided that such individual is a coach or athletic trainer and has ensured no individuals of the opposite sex are in a state of undress prior to entering.

• Authorizes a child under the age of nine to enter a multiple-occupancy private space designated for use by the opposite sex if accompanied by a caregiver (Sec. 1).

• Establishes a civil penalty for governmental entities that violate this section of $25,000 for a first violation, and $125,000 for each subsequent violation, where each day constitutes a separate violation (Sec. 1).

• Specifies that it is a violation of this section for an individual to enter a multiple-occupancy private space designated for use by the opposite sex, and establishes the following penalties (Sec. 1):

• A written notice upon first violation;

• A civil penalty of $1,000 for a second violation; and

• A class B misdemeanor for a third or subsequent violation.

• Requires any birth certificate issued prior to July 1, 2026 that identifies a sex contrary to the state definition to be considered invalid (Sec. 2).

• Defines “gender,” for the purpose of driver’s licensing, to mean the same as “sex” (Sec. 3).

• Requires any driver’s license issued prior to July 1, 2026 that identifies a sex contrary to the state definition to be considered invalid (Sec. 4).

• Repeals the definition of “gender” which defines it as the psychological, behavioral, social, and cultural aspects of being male or female, and instead defines “gender” as an individual’s biological sex at birth (Sec. 5-6).

• Specifies that this Act takes effect after its publication in the Kansas register (Sec. 9).

Full Bill Text