Montana House advances privacy bill for restrooms and locker rooms after heated floor debate

Representative Seekins Crowe, the sponsor of House Bill 121, urged colleagues on the House floor to support the bill, saying it is “not about discrimination. It's about protecting those things that have been eroding these past few years.”

The bill would require covered entities to designate multi-occupancy restrooms, changing rooms and sleeping quarters for the exclusive use of males or females and would allow private suits and remedies for individuals who experience an “encounter” in a covered space that the bill deems improper. Seekins Crowe said the measure is intended to “protect women and children” and provide “reasonable accommodations.”

Opponent…