Arizona House passes SB1003 restricting restroom and locker-room access for transgender students

The Arizona House of Representatives passed Senate Bill 1003 on April 17, 2025, after a floor debate that centered on student safety, parental involvement and protections for transgender students. The measure received a recorded account of 30 ayes and 19 nays.

Supporters said SB1003 ensures single-sex privacy in school restrooms and locker rooms and gives schools an option to provide private accommodations. Representative Collin moved the committee report recommending the bill and urged passage; he described the measure as a “reasonable accommodation” that would allow private facilities for those who prefer them.

Opponents said the bill would stigmatize transgender students and undermine safety. Representative Patty Contreras said the bill “is unnecessary and so unkind,” arguing that using chosen names and pronouns improves belonging and lowers suicide risk for transgender youth. Representative Gutierrez, a classroom teacher, said the bill “sows division” and called it “hate filled,” adding that in her experience students and schools already resolve restroom and locker-room use without statewide policy changes.

Other opponents offered stories and data to illustrate risks. Representative Connolly read constituent emails saying the bill is invasive and unnecessary. Representative Garcia relayed an anecdote from a parent whose child was assaulted after using a restroom at a previous school, saying the parent opposed restrictions that reduce safety. Representative Del Santos and others cited research on rates of violent victimization of transgender people and urged a no vote on public-safety grounds.

Supporters countered with accounts of girls and women who feel violated by male-present individuals in single-sex spaces and urged the measure to protect privacy. Representative Fink and Representative Collin framed the bill as responding to parents’ desires to be involved in their children’s schooling and as within voters’ priorities.

The bill cleared the Committee of the Whole and then passed on the House floor, 30 ayes to 19 nays. The final tally was announced after a division call and standing count.

The measure will move next in the legislative process toward third-reading and transmission to the Senate if it completes the House’s remaining procedural steps.