IdahoIdaho law makes certain opposite-sex restroom entry a crime
Starting July 1, 2026, Idaho law makes knowing and willful entry into certain opposite-sex restrooms or changing rooms a crime, with listed exceptions.
What it does
Knowingly and willfully entering a covered restroom or changing room designated for the opposite biological sex is a misdemeanor, punishable by up to one year in county jail.
Exceptions cover work, emergencies, athletic training, and helping someone who needs assistance. They also allow certain uses when no other facility is reasonably available.
Argument forThe exceptions could let people provide urgent help, care for someone who needs assistance, or use a facility when no other one is reasonably available.
Argument againstPeople could face jail or prison, including up to five years in state prison for a second qualifying conviction within five years.
More detail
A person who knowingly and willfully enters a covered restroom or changing room designated for the opposite biological sex commits a misdemeanor. This applies in government-owned buildings and places of public accommodation. A changing room includes a locker room or shower room where people may undress around others. A misdemeanor conviction may bring up to one year in county jail. A second guilty plea or conviction within five years of the first for this law, a similar law in another state, or a similar local rule is a felony punishable by up to five years in state prison. The law takes effect July 1, 2026.
The law exempts people who enter an opposite-sex facility for listed work, aid, or assistance, or in specified cases when it is the only reasonably available facility. The listed exceptions apply to restrooms and changing rooms; some also cover sleeping quarters. Exceptions include custodial work, medical or law enforcement help, emergency aid, athletic coaching or training, and helping someone who needs assistance. A person may use a single-user facility only if it is the only reasonably available one. Urgent bathroom use is exempt only when that facility is the only reasonably available option. Other exceptions cover temporarily reassigned facilities and assistance by a family member, guardian, or qualifying designee, including help for a minor child under the stated conditions. The law takes effect July 1, 2026.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed 1st Chamber
- Passed 2nd Chamber
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Apr 1Reported Signed by Governor Brad Little on March 31, 2026 Session Law Chapter 263 Effective: 07/01/2026Became Law
- Mar 31Delivered to Governor at 4:50 p.m. on March 30, 2026To Governor
- Mar 30Returned Signed by the President; Ordered Transmitted to GovernorMinor
- Mar 30Signed by President; returned to HouseMajor
- Mar 30Received from the House enrolled/signed by SpeakerMajor
- Mar 30Reported Enrolled; Signed by Speaker; Transmitted to SenateMajor
- Mar 27Returned from Senate Passed; to JRA for EnrollingMinor
- Vote recorded Read third time in full –. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 27Read third time in full – PASSED - 28-7-0AYES – Adams, Anthon, Bernt, Bjerke(Bjerke), Blaylock, Burtenshaw, Carlson, Cook, Den Hartog, Foreman, Galloway, Grow, Harris, Hart, Keyser, Kohl, Lakey, Lenney, Lent, Nichols, Okuniewicz, Ricks, Shippy, Toews, VanOrden, Woodward, Zito, ZuiderveldNAYS – Guthrie, Rabe, Ruchti, Semmelroth, Taylor, Ward-Engelking, WintrowAbsent and excused – NoneFloor Sponsor - ToewsTitle apvd - to HousePassed 2nd Chamber
- Mar 25Read second time; filed for Third ReadingMinor
- Mar 24Reported out of Committee with Do Pass Recommendation; Filed for second readingMinor
- Mar 17Introduced, read first time; referred to: Judiciary & RulesMinor
- Mar 17Received from the House passed; filed for first reading
- Mar 16Read Third Time in Full – PASSED - 54-15-1AYES – Alfieri, Barbieri, Beiswenger, Bingham, Boyle, Bruce, Burgoyne, Cannon, Cayler, Cheatum, Cornilles, Crane(12), Crane(13), Dygert, Ehardt, Ehlers, Furniss, Hall(Stone), Harris, Hawkins, Healey, Hill, Holtzclaw, Hostetler, Leavitt, Marmon, McCann, Mendive, Miller, Mitchell, Monks, Palmer, Petzke, Pickett, Pohanka, Price, Rasor, Raybould, Raymond, Redman, Sauter, Scott, Shepherd, Shirts, Skaug(Chadwick), Tanner(13), Tanner(14), Thompson, Vander Woude, Veile, Weber, Wheeler, Wisniewski, Mr. SpeakerNAYS – Berch, Church, Egbert, Erickson(Larsen), Fuhriman, Galaviz, Gannon, Garner, Green, Handy, Haws, Manwaring, Mathias, Nelsen, RubelAbsent – MickelsenFloor Sponsor - RasorTitle apvd - to SenatePassed 1st Chamber
- Vote recorded Read Third Time in Full –. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 13Read second time; Filed for Third ReadingMinor
- Mar 12Reported out of Committee without Recommendation, Filed for Second ReadingMinor
- Feb 24Reported Printed and Referred to Judiciary, Rules & Administration
- Feb 23Introduced, read first time, referred to JRA for PrintingIntroduced
Criminal JusticePublic Safety