Montana, Idaho, North Carolina Enact Gender-Based Bathroom Laws

Recent legislative actions across several states have tightened bathroom access for transgender individuals, highlighting a growing trend in bathroom-related laws. In Montana, Governor Greg Gianforte signed House Bill 121, requiring public facilities to designate restrooms based on biological sex at birth, a move that critics argue discriminates against transgender people. Similarly, in Idaho, Senate Bill 1100 mandates students use restrooms corresponding to their biological sex while allowing for single-occupancy facilities as accommodations for those unable to use multi-occupancy restrooms. In West Virginia, a proposed Senate Bill 579 seeks to nullify local ordinances that protect LGBTQ+ individuals, despite opposition from some lawmakers questioning the necessity of such a bill. Meanwhile, North Carolina's Senate Bill 516 aims to limit bathroom access in state buildings, although it is less restrictive than prior legislation. These developments reflect ongoing national debates surrounding transgender rights and access to public facilities.