Arkansas House committee changes controversial public bathroom bill

KUAR | By Tess Vrbin / Arkansas Advocate

The Arkansas House Judiciary Committee on Tuesday approved an amended version of a bill that initially would have criminalized entering and remaining in bathrooms and locker rooms that do not match an adult’s gender assigned at birth if children are present.

Senate Bill 270 now limits potential misdemeanor charges and prosecutions to adults present “for the purpose of arousing or gratifying a sexual desire of himself or herself or any other person.”

The amendment and the bill both passed on unanimous voice votes after five cumulative hours of frequently emotional testimony from 40 witnesses against the bill. Almost half identified themselves as transgender, including three minors, and several more said they are the parents, spouses or loved ones of transgender Arkansans.

https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/local-regional-news/2023-03-29/arkansas-house-committee-changes-controversial-public-bathroom-bill

Tess Vrbin/Arkansas Advocate

Aaron Jennen (right), a father of a transgender teenager from Fayetteville, speaks against Senate Bill 270 before the House Judiciary Committee on March 28, 2023. Sen. John Payton (R-Wilburn, left) is the bill’s sponsor.

Arkansas bill restricting transgender adults’ bathroom use will be amended, returned to committee

KUAR | By Tess Vrbin / Arkansas Advocate

Arkansas legislators will amend a proposed law that would make it a crime if an adult “knowingly exposes his or her sex organs to a minor of the opposite sex” in a public restroom or changing room.

Sen. John Payton (R-Wilburn), the sponsor of Senate Bill 270, pulled the bill from consideration on the Senate floor Wednesday in order to clarify some of the language.

Adults who enter and remain in a facility that does not align with their gender assigned at birth would risk criminal charges of sexual indecency with a child if they are aware that minors are present, the bill states.

https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/local-regional-news/2023-03-02/arkansas-bill-restricting-transgender-adults-bathroom-use-will-be-amended-returned-to-committee

Tess Vrbin/Arkansas Advocate

Sen. Clarke Tucker (D-Little Rock) explains his opposition to Senate Bill 270 before the full Senate on March 1, 2023. The bill would make it a crime of sexual indecency with a child if a person enters and remains in a restroom that does not align with their biological sex when children are present.

Arkansas bill restricting bathroom access in presence of minors advances

KUAR | By Daniel Breen

Another bill aimed at restricting bathroom use in Arkansas has gained approval from a legislative panel.

Members of the Senate Judiciary committee on Monday voted along party lines in favor of Senate Bill 270, which would make it a crime for Arkansans to linger in a restroom or changing room inconsistent with their sex assigned at birth if a minor is present.

Bill sponsor Sen. John Payton, R-Wilburn, said it would only apply to adults who “knowingly remain” in a shared facility in which others, including minors, could be expected to be in various states of undress.

https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/local-regional-news/2023-02-27/arkansas-bill-restricting-bathroom-access-in-presence-of-minors-advances

Arkansas Legislature

Jessica Disney (right) speaks against Senate Bill 270 in a meeting of the Senate Judiciary Committee Monday as the bill's sponsor, Sen. John Payton, looks on.