Prohibiting persons from entering single and multiple occupancy restrooms or changing areas and other facilities in public accommodations that do not correspond with the person’s biological sex, and including effective date provisions

This bill requires public accommodations to designate and allow the use of multiple occupancy restrooms and changing areas only by persons of the same biological sex. The bill prohibits a person from entering a single or multiple occupancy restroom or changing area in a public accommodation that does not correspond with the person’s biological sex. The bill allows public accommodations to provide alternative facilities upon a request to public accommodation officials or employees for alternative facilities from the person. The bill also allows any citizen of the state to file a complaint of violation of the bill with the attorney general if the citizen provides written notice to the public accommodation describing the violation and the public accommodation does not cure the violation within three business days after receiving written notice. The complaint filed with the attorney general must have a copy of the written notice that had been delivered to the public accommodation and a signed statement by the citizen describing the violation. The attorney general is required to investigate the claim of a violation and pursue legal action if warranted. The bill provides that the actions required and prohibited by the bill do not constitute unfair or discriminatory practices in violation of the Iowa civil rights Act, Code chapter 216. The bill takes effect upon enactment.