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Bill would require high-capacity all-gender restrooms in state-aid school construction projects
Summary
Representative Troy Hedrick introduced H.194, which would require non-emergency school construction projects that receive state aid to include at least one high-capacity, all-gender restroom with fully enclosed stalls; committee counsel noted the school construction program is under moratorium at present.
Representative Troy Hedrick introduced H.194 on Wednesday, proposing that any non-emergency school construction project receiving state construction aid include the creation of at least one high-capacity, all-gender restroom with fully enclosed stalls.
Hedrick told the House Education Committee the measure addresses infrastructure and universal-design considerations rather than school policy on gender identity. “This requires that any non emergency school construction project receiving state aid must include the creation of a high capacity all gender restroom with bullying closed stalls,” Hedrick said, adding that the bill “does not require modifications to existing school restrooms unless they are part of a new non emergency construction project.”
The sponsor described the feature as a cluster of individually enclosed stalls accessible from a common entry area — a layout he and other members described as reducing congregating in bathrooms and improving privacy, safety and maintenance outcomes. Hedrick said the requirement would apply only to projects already receiving state aid and, as written, would not itself create new funding obligations for districts.
Committee members asked for design clarifications and noted implementation and cost considerations. Committee counsel and other members flagged that the existing school construction aid program (cited in the hearing as Title 16, Section 34 48) is currently under moratorium, meaning that, if the moratorium remains in place, the bill’s eligibility condition would not apply until the program is active again.
Members discussed alternative policy levers — for example, using incentive bonuses or eligibility criteria when the program resumes — and raised the potential that fully enclosed, private-stall designs could carry additional construction costs. One member said such restrooms had reduced vaping and misconduct in a recently renovated high school.
No committee vote occurred during the introductory presentation. Sponsors and counsel characterized the bill as narrowly focused on built infrastructure and recommended bringing design experts or school-construction staff for further testimony at later hearings.
