On Thursday, the Senate State Agencies Committee passed S.B. 486 by Sen. Blake Johnson (R — Corning) and Rep. Mary Bentley (R — Perryville).
This good bill protects physical privacy and safety of Arkansans in showers, locker rooms, changing rooms, restrooms, and sleeping quarters in government buildings and in state and local jails.
The bill also applies to changing rooms, restrooms, and sleeping quarters in shelters for victims of domestic violence.
S.B. 486 is similar to a law Arkansas passed in 2023 to protect privacy in public schools and on overnight school trips.
The bill would require the facilities named in the bill to be designated for “male” or “female” use. The measure generally requires people to use the facility that corresponds to their biological sex.
Over the years, we have seen efforts to house men with women in jails, let men stay in women’s shelters, and give men access to women’s changing areas, locker rooms, showers, and restrooms.
S.B. 486 is common sense legislation narrowly tailored to protect physical privacy and safety in public buildings and shelters in Arkansas.
The bill now goes to the entire Arkansas Senate for consideration.
Articles appearing on this website are written with the aid of Family Council’s researchers and writers.
