IndianaIndiana schools would limit shared restroom use by sex
Public schools, charter schools, and state colleges would mark shared restrooms for males or females and limit who may use them, with exceptions.
What it does
Public schools, charter schools, and state colleges would label shared restrooms and changing rooms for males or females. People would use the room for their sex, with listed exceptions.
During school events, students could not be required to share overnight rooms with someone of the opposite sex, except family. State colleges would apply the rule to events and campus housing.
Across Indiana laws, “sex” would mean male or female based on reproductive traits, without regard to gender identity. “Gender” would mean the same as sex.
Local health officers would record sex as male or female in permanent birth records. Changes to a birth certificate's sex would be limited to certain medical conditions or correcting an earlier change.
People committed to Indiana's adult or youth corrections system would be assigned to facilities or programs based on their sex at birth.
Argument forSeparate shared restrooms could give some students more privacy while they change clothes at school.
Argument againstStudents whose gender identity differs from the bill's sex definition might be unable to use a shared restroom that matches their gender identity.
More detail
Schools and state colleges would label shared restrooms and changing rooms for males or females and limit who may use each room. The rules cover shared restrooms and changing rooms in Indiana public schools, charter schools, and state colleges and universities. Exceptions cover temporary changes in a room's designation, children under nine with a parent or caregiver, and certain work, care, and emergency needs. These rules would take effect July 1, 2026, if enacted.
Schools and state colleges could not require students to share overnight rooms with someone of the opposite sex. The school rule covers school activities and events. The state college rule also covers campus housing. A student could be required to share with a member of their family. A person harmed by a violation could sue the school or college. These rules would take effect July 1, 2026, if enacted.
Indiana would define female, male, sex, and gender for use in its laws. The definitions cover references to people across Indiana laws, including people whose reproductive systems developed differently or were altered. The definitions generally apply unless a law's context or lawmakers' intent clearly calls for a different meaning. The definitions would take effect July 1, 2026, if enacted.
Local health officers would record sex as male or female, and birth certificate sex changes would be limited. The recording rule covers permanent birth records. The change limits cover sex listed on birth certificates. A certificate's sex could be changed for a medically verifiable condition affecting sex development or to correct an earlier amendment. A person seeking to correct an earlier amendment would need supporting records or other documents. These rules would take effect July 1, 2026, if enacted.
Indiana's corrections department would assign people to facilities or programs based on their sex at birth. The rule covers offenders in both the adult and youth corrections systems. The rule would take effect July 1, 2026, if enacted.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Feb 3Representative Isa added as cosponsorLatest
- Feb 2Representative Abbott added as cosponsor
- Jan 29First reading: referred to Committee on Public HealthMinor
- Jan 28Referred to the HouseMinor
- Jan 27Third reading: passed; Roll Call 101: yeas 37, nays 8Passed Senate
- Vote recorded SB 182 - Brown L - 3rd Reading. Result: pass.Upper
- Jan 27Cosponsor: Representative McGuire
- Jan 27House sponsor: Representative Carbaugh
- Jan 27Senator Young M added as coauthor
- Jan 26Second reading: amended, ordered engrossedMinor
- Jan 26Amendment #2 (Deery) prevailed; voice voteMajor
- Jan 26Senator Byrne added as coauthor
- Jan 22Committee report: amend do pass, adoptedMinor
- Jan 22Senator Garten added as third author
- Jan 6Senator Johnson T added as second author
- Jan 5First reading: referred to Committee on Health and Provider ServicesMinor
- Jan 5Authored by Senator Brown LIntroduced
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