Indiana bill would limit shared restroom use by sex at birth

Covered institutions would assign shared restrooms and changing rooms for male or female use and restrict who may enter. The rule covers public schools, state colleges, correctional and juvenile detention facilities, and certain government buildings. Sex is determined at birth using genetics and reproductive biology. Exceptions cover temporary reassignment, cleaning or inspections, medical or emergency help, and help from a parent or caregiver. School sports staff may enter during athletic events after taking reasonable steps to ensure no one is undressed. At state colleges, people may also enter to help their child. The bill sets July 1, 2026, as the start date for this rule if enacted.

Covered institutions could not require certain people to share overnight rooms with someone of the opposite sex as defined at birth. It covers students at school events, state college events and on-campus housing, people in correctional or juvenile detention facilities, and minors at events authorized by agencies using covered government buildings. The restriction does not apply when the other person is a family member. The bill sets July 1, 2026, as the start date for this rule if enacted.

People could sue covered institutions over specified restroom or overnight room violations. The lawsuits could involve covered schools, state colleges, correctional and juvenile detention facilities, and government agencies. For restroom use, the person must have encountered the violation, and the institution must have permitted it or failed to take reasonable steps to prevent it. For overnight rooms, the violation must have caused injury, directly or indirectly. If someone wins, a court could order a remedy and award costs and reasonable lawyer fees. The bill sets July 1, 2026, as its effective date. A lawsuit must begin within two years of the violation.