House approves bill restricting mixed-use restrooms in government facilities after heated debate

The Puerto Rico House of Representatives passed Proyecto de la Cámara 165 on Sept. 11, 2025, a bill that bars government agencies, public corporations and University of Puerto Rico campuses from implementing mixed‑use or gender‑neutral restrooms and requires restrooms to be designated by biological sex, with an amendment clarifying that regular or “family” restrooms remain authorized.

The bill’s author, Representative Alicia Burgos Muñiz, told the chamber the measure "no es un ataque a nadie" and said it aims to "velar por la seguridad, la intimidad y la dignidad de todos los estudiantes." Burgos said the bill is meant to protect women and girls and to prevent what she described as confusion and risks tied to mixed restrooms.

Opponents, including Representative José Gutiérrez Colón, said the proposal is driven by prejudice rather than evidence. Gutiérrez Colón cited campus data she said show incidents of harassment at the University of Puerto Rico have declined since inclusive restrooms were introduced in 2019, and argued the bill would deepen stigma against transgender and gender‑diverse people.

Several members raised practical concerns during floor debate. Representative Pérez Santiago argued the measure lacked a clear definition of "family restroom" and said that, as drafted, the bill could unintentionally restrict parents or caregivers from using designated family restrooms to assist children or dependents. After debate the chamber approved a floor amendment adding the phrase "en baños regulares o baños identificados como familiar" to the text.

Supporters, including Representatives Edgar Robles and others, emphasized the measure as a privacy and safety policy for women and girls, and said agencies that failed to comply would face oversight and penalties spelled out in the bill.

The measure passed after amendment. The House placed the bill on the final voting calendar and approved it by recorded vote, with the final tally recorded by the clerk as 47 in favor and 0 opposed after the amendment was accepted on the floor.

The bill text as approved prohibits mixed‑use restrooms in the specified public entities; it also makes an express carve‑out for family restrooms as amended on the floor.

What happens next: As a measure passed by the House, Proyecto de la Cámara 165 will proceed to the Senate for consideration and — if approved there — to the governor for signature or veto.

Speakers quoted in this report spoke on the record during the floor debate on Sept. 11, 2025.