THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

2347

THIRTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2020

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

Relating to public school facilities.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 


     SECTION 1.  On October 10, 2019, the 26th Annual Children and Youth Summit was held at the State Capitol.  The Summit brought together hundreds of young adults from across the State to discuss important contemporary issues, and to find solutions to current problems.  For the topic of safety and security, the summit identified gender-neutral bathrooms at schools as the priority issue.

     The legislature finds that gender-neutral bathroom facilities can provide a safer and more welcoming space to a person who may be transgender, or who may not identify with either the male or female gender.  School districts and universities across the country are installing gender-neutral bathrooms.  National businesses, such as Target, already provide gender-neutral bathrooms.  According to Yelp, more than one hundred sixty thousand businesses in the United States have gender-neutral bathrooms.

     The purpose of this measure is to require the department of education to provide at least one gender-neutral bathroom at each public school.

     SECTION 2.  Chapter 302A, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to part VI to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "§302A-    Gender-neutral bathrooms.  At each public school, there shall be at least one gender-neutral bathroom for use by students.

     For purposes of this section, "gender-neutral bathroom" means a bathroom located in a safe and accessible area that can be used by a person of any gender or gender identity."

     SECTION 3.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect on January 1, 2020.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

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Report Title:

Public School Facilities; Keiki Caucus

 

Description:

Requires public schools to provide at least one gender-neutral bathroom for student use.

 

 

 

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