Talahassee – An anti-transgender bill that would bar people from using restrooms that align with their gender identities is now in the hands of the Civil Justice Subcommittee of the Florida House.
HB 583 was filed Feb. 7 by Republican State Rep. Frank Artiles of Miami and is titled “Single-Sex Public Facilities.” On the Florida House of Representative’s website the description of the bill reads: “Requires that use of single-sex facilities be restricted to persons of sex for which facility is designated; prohibits knowingly and willfully entering single-sex public facility designated for or restricted to persons of other biological sex; provides exemptions; provides private cause of action against violators; provides for preemption.”
Supporters say it would allow for security, safety and privacy for all individuals using single-sex public facilities while also preventing anti-transgender sex crimes.
A concerning aspect of the bill is if a person who willing and willfully enters a single-sex facility that doesn’t align with their biological sex, then they’re liable for civil action by any person who is lawfully using the same single-sex public facility at the time as the unlawful entry.
The bill is now parked in the same subcommittee as the Florida Competitive Workforce Act (FCWA)—or HB 33. FCWA is a statewide bill that aims at prohibiting discrimination against LGBTs in employment, housing and public accommodations.
Both bills are waiting to be put on an agenda to be heard.
