House passes bill to separate bathrooms by sex, or provide unisex facility

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (FLV) – The House passed a bill that requires private businesses and public entities provide separate bathrooms and changing facilities for females and males, or provide a unisex facility.

The bill passed by a vote of 80-37.

The legislation still needs to go through the Senate. The bill was carried by Rep. Rachel Lora Saunders Plakon, R-Lake Mary. A similar bill is being carried in the Senate by Sen. Erin Grall, R-Fort Pierce.

It would prohibit someone 18 years or older from entering a restroom designated for the opposite sex. If that person refused to “immediately depart” when asked by another person in the restroom or changing facility, the person could face a second degree misdemeanor, according to the bill.

With regards to schools, the district would establish disciplinary procedures for those younger than 18 years old who enters a restroom for the opposite sex.

The bill sponsor clarified during a previous committee meeting and said businesses and other covered entities are not required to “police this in any way.”

“The only thing they have to do is show compliance with the infrastructure,” Plakon said.

Rep. Johanna Lopez, D-Orlando, opposed the bill during debate.

“With no consideration of the testimonies of Floridians, no adoption of common sense amendments, and no remorse for children who were directly impacted by this repulsive bathroom ban, the only rational vote is this is obviously ‘no,'” Lopez said.

In closing, Plankton said this bill never mentions “transgender or any other particular group of people.”