Protecting Privacy in Public Spaces Act
In one sentence
Plain language
Official record
Bill Summary - 25LSO-0225 Bill No.: HB0072 Effective: 7/1/2025 LSO No.: 25LSO-0225 Enrolled Act No.: HEA No. 0048 Chapter No.: 94 Prime Sponsor: Lawley Catch Title: Protecting privacy in public spaces act. Has Report: No Subject: Specifying requirements for the use of sex-designated public facilities. Summary/Major Elements: This act provides that each multi-occupancy restroom, changing area, and sleeping quarters that are located in a public facility or educational facility must be designed for use exclusively by males or exclusively by females. The act specifies that no person shall enter a multi-occupancy changing area, restroom, or sleeping quarters designated for males or females unless the person is a member of that sex. For purposes of this act, public facilities include those owned, operated, or leased by a state or local governmental entity. Educational facilities are those owned, operated, or leased by the University of Wyoming or a Wyoming community college. K-12 schools are not included. The requirements of the act do not apply to single-occupancy areas, employees who enter for cleaning or in the performance of their official duties, persons who enter to render medical assistance or caregiving assistance, during athletic competitions under specified circumstances, or in times of natural disasters or emergencies. The act provides a cause of action against a governmental entity that owns, operates, or leases a public facility when a person encounters another person of the opposite sex in a restroom, changing area, or sleeping quarters designated for the person's sex. A person who prevails in this type of cause of action is entitled to actual damages and may recover reasonable attorney fees and costs from the governmental entity. The act also provides a cause of action against a governmental entity that owns, operates, or leases an educational facility when a person encounters another person of the opposite sex in a restroom, changing area, or sleeping quarters designated for the person's sex. A person who prevails in a cause of action concerning an educational facility may recover five thousand dollars ($5,000.00) from the educational facility, monetary damages for all harm suffered and reasonable attorney fees and costs. The act amends the Wyoming Governmental Claims Act to provide an exception for governmental entities to be liable for violations of this act. The above summary is not an official publication of the Wyoming Legislature and is not an official statement of legislative intent. While the Legislative Service Office endeavored to provide accurate information in this summary, it should not be relied upon as a comprehensive abstract of the bill.
Public statements
Last checked Aug 5, 9:27 PM
R · H29
Why they voted this way
The lawmaker states they reviewed the bill's changes overnight and feel comfortable that concurring with Senate amendments aligns with existing policies.
R · S05
Why they voted this way
The lawmaker supports the bill because they believe women and children are being harmed in bathrooms across the country due to confusion about which bathroom is correct.
R · S13
Why they voted this way
As a mother, the lawmaker supports the bill because they believe it is unacceptable for their daughter to be in a locker room with someone of the opposite sex changing.
R · S04
Why they voted this way
The lawmaker will vote for the bill because they believe the strong public support for it is overpowering good sense, even though they feel the legislation conflicts with values of personal responsibility.
S06
Why they voted this way
The lawmaker supports the bill as a necessary measure to protect women from being oppressed, citing specific examples of unfair competition and lack of recourse in locker rooms.
R · S29
Why they voted this way
The lawmaker supports the bill because they believe it upholds principles regarding two genders and ensures government adherence to those principles.
R · S20
Why they voted this way
The lawmaker plans to vote against the bill because, while they agree with the goal, they believe the legislation is poorly written and not the right vehicle.
R · S12
Why they voted this way
The lawmaker supports the bill because they view the issue as a serious problem where rules are not being followed, despite acknowledging the language could be improved.
R · S27
Why they voted this way
The lawmaker will vote for the bill despite believing it is inadequate, citing that visits with constituents back home indicate the issue is a major concern to them.
R · S30
Why they voted this way
The lawmaker opposes the bill because they believe its unintended legal consequences will put businesses in disrepute and defeat the objective of stopping intentional misconduct.
R · S10
Why they voted this way
The lawmaker opposes the bill because they believe it is nonsensical, could cause more problems than it solves, and puts government institutions in a bad situation.
R · S16
Why they voted this way
The lawmaker supports the bill because they believe the public wants the problem resolved and is concerned about protection for youth in public settings.
R · H46
Why they voted this way
The lawmaker requested a no vote because Senate amendments introduced changes they wish to discuss, aiming for the bills to be reviewed together in conference before returning with recommendations.
R · S13
Why they voted this way
The lawmaker opposes the bill because it is too broad and complicates existing federal laws regarding correctional facilities, preferring a previously passed Senate version that they believe addresses privacy concerns more effectively.
R · S14
Why they voted this way
The lawmaker supports the bill because it covers universities, addressing a specific scenario where women at the University of Wyoming are exposed to naked men in locker rooms.
R · S27
Why they voted this way
The lawmaker believes the bill needs significant work due to confusing language regarding opposite-sex access in changing areas and unnecessary provisions about correctional facilities.
R · S10
Why they voted this way
The lawmaker supports the goal of protecting privacy for everyone but argues the bill is too broad and incorrectly titled, suggesting it should be refined or addressed in a future session.
R · S03
Why they voted this way
The lawmaker supports the bill as necessary protection for grandchildren in public spaces beyond just K-12 schools, citing personal experiences of men entering women's bathrooms.
R · S24
Why they voted this way
The lawmaker questions the bill's scope by asking if men entering women's restrooms at a supermarket would constitute a felony, implying concern over potential criminalization of common occurrences.
If a lawmaker is not listed, we couldn't find a published reason.
Wyoming roll calls
8 roll calls
Official activity
Changes
13 stored
The amendment adds language that allows public facilities to take reasonable steps, such as posting signs and creating policies, to enforce the use of sex-designated restrooms and other facilities according to this act.
The amendment adds new requirements for jails regarding single-sex shower rooms, sleeping quarters, and restrooms, including restrictions on inmate placement and employee entry.
The amendment adds a new requirement to prevent harassment in gender-designated changing areas, restrooms, and sleeping quarters at public facilities.
The amendment adds a new clause to allow public facilities to authorize temporary use of multi-occupancy changing areas, restrooms, or sleeping quarters designed for the opposite sex by male or female groups and teams.
The amendment adds a new provision allowing individuals to use changing areas, restrooms, and sleeping quarters that have been temporarily designated for their sex.
The amendment adds a new definition for 'coach' and allows coaches to enter locker rooms under specific conditions if necessary.
The amendment allows the House to accept changes made by the Senate to HB0072, which relates to restroom and facility use requirements at public facilities.
The amendment adds a new requirement for school officials and employees to take reasonable steps to ensure privacy when entering changing areas, restrooms, or sleeping quarters as part of their job duties.
The amendment excludes certain multi-occupancy areas within educational and public facilities from being considered 'educational facilities' or 'public facilities', if these areas are used as private residences or reservable commercial lodging.
The amendment adds rules for coaches and athletes of mixed genders to use restrooms and changing areas together under certain conditions.
The amendment removes the word 'women's' from the bill's catch title.
The amendment changes specific sections of the bill to clarify that certain facilities like schools and jails are excluded from its requirements regarding sex-designated restrooms and other facilities.
The amendment changes the word 'Reduction' to 'Reform' in a specific part of the bill.