Senate File 224 will have its day in subcommittee on Wednesday. The bill prohibits individuals from entering single and multiple occupancy toilet facilities in elementary and secondary schools that do not correspond with the person’s biological sex.
The bill was filed by Republican Sen. Jim Carlin.
“I am very concerned about the potential for sexual assault of girls and women having to share a restroom with a man or boy,” Carlin told The Iowa Standard. “I don’t want a situation where a little girl has to experience terror over being alone in a restroom with a man. They should never put in that position. They have a right to privacy and safety when they are in the most vulnerable or circumstances.”
It is as simple as it sounds — elementary and secondary public and nonpublic schools will designate and allow the use of multiple occupancy toilet facilities only by persons of the same biological sex.
The bill prohibits a person from entering a school single and multiple occupancy toilet facility that does not correspond with the person’s biological sex.
It also provides that such designations and prohibits do not constitute unfair or discriminatory practices in violation of the Iowa Civil Rights Act.
The subcommittee will include Republican State Sen. Jeff Taylor as well as Carlin. Democrat Sen. Claire Celsi will also serve on the subcommittee.
Carlin suggested separate accommodations be made for transgender individuals.
“I have spoken to two women who were sexually assaulted in a restroom as young girls,” he said. “The trauma of those events is with them to this day. The bill is about protecting the safety and privacy of women and young girls.”
You can contact the senators at:
jeff.taylor@legis.iowa.gov
jim.carlin@legis.iowa.gov
claire.celsi@legis.iowa.gov
