Idaho House Passes Expanded Bathroom Bill Allowing Lawsuits

The bill would require businesses to take "reasonable steps" to ensure bathrooms are single-sex, sparking concerns over enforcement and harassment.

Published on Feb. 18, 2026

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The Idaho House has passed a bill that would expand the state's existing bathroom laws to allow people to sue government entities and private businesses if they don't ensure their restrooms and changing facilities are separated by sex. The bill's sponsor says it's about keeping people safe, but some lawmakers worry it creates onerous regulations and could lead to harassment of businesses.

Why it matters

This bill is the latest in a series of anti-LGBTQ+ measures passed in Idaho in recent years, including banning transgender athletes and criminalizing gender-affirming healthcare for youth. Activists say these laws target and marginalize the LGBTQ+ community in the state.

The details

House Bill 607, written by the Idaho Family Policy Center, would require all government buildings and "every place of public accommodation" to designate bathrooms and changing rooms for use by "male individuals only" or "female individuals only." The bill allows people to sue if these requirements are not met, with a $10,000 penalty. Some lawmakers worry this could lead to burdensome enforcement measures like DNA tests or bathroom monitoring.

  • In 2020, Idaho became the first state to ban transgender girls and women from competing in sports of their preferred gender.
  • In 2023, state lawmakers made it a felony for doctors to provide gender-affirming health care to transgender youth.
  • Last year, a dozen anti-LGBTQ+ bills became law in Idaho, including an expansion to the state's indecent exposure law.

The players

Nikson Mathews

A transgender activist who serves as chair of the Idaho Democratic Queer Caucus.

Rep. Ted Hill

The Republican sponsor of House Bill 607, who says the bill is about keeping people safe in bathrooms and changing facilities.

Rep. Annie Henderson Haws

A Boise Democrat and attorney who called the bill a "proof nightmare" and argued it could require DNA tests or bathroom monitoring to enforce.

Rep. Stephanie Mickelsen

An Idaho Falls Republican who called the bill "an activist's dream" and said it puts a "bounty" on the government for someone being in the "wrong room."

Mayor Lauren McLean

The mayor of Boise who joined activists in denouncing the anti-LGBTQ+ bills in the Idaho Legislature.

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What they’re saying

“These bills deny health care, criminalize doctors, police public spaces, censor speech, override local control, take away parental rights, restrict privacy and target LGBTQ+ people and families. I just want to say to every queer and trans Idahoan: We deserve safety, we deserve joy and love, and to exist without our humanity being debated every legislative session.”

— Nikson Mathews, Chair of the Idaho Democratic Queer Caucus (Idaho Capital Sun)

“We're not going to check IDs. There's no burdensome requirements. It's very simple... Let's keep these people safe, those most vulnerable people safe in these spaces.”

— Rep. Ted Hill, Bill sponsor (Idaho Capital Sun)

“It puts a bounty on the government of $10,000 just simply for somebody being in the wrong room — not for them having done anything, but just having been in the wrong room. I think that this bill is actually a way to intimidate and harass private businesses to push someone's particular agenda.”

— Rep. Stephanie Mickelsen, Idaho Falls Republican (Idaho Capital Sun)

What’s next

The bill now heads to the Idaho Senate for consideration.

The takeaway

This latest anti-LGBTQ+ legislation in Idaho is part of a broader trend of lawmakers targeting the community, raising concerns about discrimination, harassment, and the erosion of civil rights protections in the state.