SB1182

THE CONTEXT: A public school is any public institution that offers instruction to students in preschool programs for children with disabilities, kindergarten programs or any combination of the 1st-12th grades ( A. R.

WHAT THE BILL DID: The final vetoed version would require a public school, upon written request from a person, to provide a reasonable accommodation to any person who: a) is, for any reason, unwilling or unable to use a multioccupancy shower room designated for the person's sex that is located in a public school building or provided in connection with a public school-sponsored activity; and b) submits satisfactory evidence of the person's sex to the school, specifies a reasonable accommodation: a) includes a single-occupancy or employee shower room; and b) excludes a shower room designated for use by individuals of the opposite sex while individuals of the opposite sex are present, and authorize public schools to adopt policies that: a) are necessary to accommodate individuals protected under the ADA or young children who need physical assistance when using public school shower rooms; and b) authorize a person to enter a multioccupancy shower room that is designated for use by individuals of the opposite sex if the person enters the shower room to: i; perform custodial or maintenance services while the shower room is unoccupied; ii; provide emergency medical assistance; or iii; maintain order or address a serious threat to student safety during an emergency situation.

WHY IT MATTERED: The practical reason for this bill was to turn the Legislature's standard for public schools into an enforceable rule. It would require a public school, upon written request from a person, to provide a reasonable accommodation to any person who: a) is, for any reason, unwilling or unable to use a multioccupancy shower room designated for the person's sex that is located in a public school building or provided in connection with a public school-sponsored activity; and b) submits satisfactory evidence of the person's sex to the school, and would also specifies a reasonable accommodation: a) includes a single-occupancy or employee shower room; and b) excludes a shower room designated for use by individuals of the opposite sex while individuals of the opposite sex are present, rather than leave the current rule unchanged.