Senate committee backs bill requiring single‑sex designation for multi‑occupancy school restrooms, allows private enforcement

The Wyoming Senate Committee of the Whole reported favorably a bill that would require public school districts to designate multi‑occupancy restrooms and changing rooms as for the exclusive use of the male sex or the female sex and to provide reasonable single‑occupancy accommodations for those who request them.

Senator Dan Larson, the bill sponsor, said the measure was prompted by complaints in his district and by school officials seeking statewide guidance. “This bill is brought forward, essentially, by discussions with my school district, and they’re having issues with boys and girls bathrooms,” Larson said during floor explanation.

Key provisions: The bill requires each public school district to (1) designate each multiple‑occupancy restroom or changing room as exclusively male or exclusively female; (2) provide a reasonable accommodation — which must include a single‑occupancy restroom or changing room — for any person who does not wish to use a multi‑occupancy facility; and (3) allow specified exceptions (custodial, repair, emergency medical assistance, and limited supervisory access by a coach when no alternative space is available).

The floor debate centered on enforcement and local control. Senator Larry French said the bill responded to parents and students in his area who reported being unable to use facilities: “These girls were afraid. They were holding it till noon,” French said. Others cautioned that a statewide, one‑size‑fits‑all rule could create unintended legal exposure for districts. Senator Ryan Dockstader and committee witnesses had urged removal of an accreditation penalty; the Senate divided on that change during floor consideration and the committee amendment ultimately left a private right of action while removing the proposed accreditation sanction.

Coaches and facility staffing also drew scrutiny. The legislation initially required a coach of the opposite sex to be accompanied by “not less than one additional adult employed by the district of the same sex as the students present.” The standing committee and later Committee of the Whole amended that language to be permissive — allowing a coach to be accompanied by an additional adult — and added an explicit exception for adults rendering assistance to students because of disability or age.

Outcome and next steps: The bill was reported favorably from the Committee of the Whole with committee and floor amendments. Sponsors said districts that requested guidance wanted statutory clarity; opponents argued for local solutions and warned of litigation and fiscal consequences from private suits. The bill now proceeds per the Senate’s process for consideration by the full body.