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Council adopts state‑driven restroom compliance policy despite enforcement concerns
Summary
Hillsborough adopted municipal policy 1‑14 to comply with a new state law on multiple‑occupancy spaces. Council members expressed concern about enforcement practicality and steep statutory penalties ($25,000 first, $125,000 subsequent) but voted to adopt and begin facility audits.
City Administrator Matt Stiles presented Municipal Policy 1‑14, drafted in response to substitute Senate Bill 244, which requires public facilities to take steps to prevent certain uses of multi‑occupancy restrooms, locker rooms and changing areas and establishes complaint and notice procedures. Stiles said the law took effect immediately and carries significant penalties for noncompliance.
Council members voiced frustration with the policy’s enforcement practicality and its timing. "It's a performative bill...they're not really giving guidelines on how this needs to be enforced," one council member said, while another described it as a local‑control issue. Despite reservations about staffing and enforcement, the council voted to adopt the policy and directed staff to complete facility audits and implement signage and complaint processes consistent with the state guidance.
