Idaho House Passes Criminal Transgender Bathroom Ban

Bill would make it a crime for transgender people to use bathrooms matching their gender identity in businesses and government buildings

Mar. 17, 2026 at 4:10am

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The Idaho House has passed a bill that would criminalize 'willfully' entering public and government bathrooms and changing rooms designated for another sex, effectively blocking transgender people from using their preferred public bathrooms in the state. The bill would create misdemeanor and felony charges for those who violate the law, with exceptions for providing medical or law enforcement assistance.

Why it matters

This bill is part of a broader effort in Idaho to restrict transgender rights, following the state's previous ban on transgender students using bathrooms matching their gender identity in public schools. Critics argue the new bill could endanger transgender individuals and present enforcement challenges for law enforcement.

The details

House Bill 752 would make it a misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in prison for a first offense, and a felony punishable by up to five years in prison for a second offense within five years, for someone to 'knowingly and willfully' enter a bathroom or changing room designated for the opposite sex. The bill includes exceptions for providing medical or law enforcement assistance, or if a single-user facility is the only one reasonably available.

  • The Idaho House passed the bill on a 54-15 vote on March 16, 2026.
  • The bill now heads to the Idaho Senate for consideration.

The players

Rep. Cornel Rasor

A Republican from Sagle, Idaho, and the sponsor of House Bill 752.

Rep. Chris Mathias

A Boise Democrat who opposed the bill, saying it could endanger transgender people.

Idaho Fraternal Order of Police

A law enforcement group that opposed the bill, citing enforcement challenges.

Idaho Sheriffs' Association

A law enforcement group that requested the bill be amended to require people to leave the bathroom when asked before facing prosecution.

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What they’re saying

“It prevents discomfort and voyeurism escalation and assaults, while preserving single-user options and narrow exceptions so no one is denied access for emergency aid.”

— Rep. Cornel Rasor, Bill sponsor

“The truth of the matter is — and I know a lot of people don't want to say it, but — forcing people who don't look like the sex that they were born with, or transgender folks, forcing them to use other people's bathrooms is going to put a lot of people in danger.”

— Rep. Chris Mathias, Boise Democrat

“Officers responding to a complaint would be placed in the difficult position of determining an individual's biological sex in order to enforce the statute. In many circumstances, there is no clear or reasonable way for officers to make that determination without engaging in questioning or investigative actions that could be viewed as invasive and inappropriate.”

— Bryan Lovell, Idaho Fraternal Order of Police President

What’s next

The bill now heads to the Idaho Senate for consideration. To become law, it must pass the Senate and avoid a veto from the governor.

The takeaway

This bill is the latest effort in Idaho to restrict transgender rights, following the state's previous ban on transgender students using bathrooms matching their gender identity in public schools. Critics argue the new bill could endanger transgender individuals and present enforcement challenges for law enforcement.