Arkansas Governor Signs Bill Prohibiting Transgender Students from Using Restrooms Not Aligned with Birth Certificate Sex

On Tuesday, Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders signed a bill into law that prohibits transgender students from using restrooms that do not align with the sex listed on their birth certificate. This makes Arkansas the fourth state to place such restrictions at public schools, and follows similar bills in Idaho and Iowa that are awaiting their governor’s signature.

The bill applies to restrooms, locker rooms, changing rooms, and shower rooms in pre-K through 12th grade public and charter schools. It also allows for superintendents, teachers, and principals to be fined a minimum of $1,000 if they do not comply with the law.

The bill was passed by the state’s legislature earlier this month and is set to take effect later this summer. It has been met with criticism from LGBTQ rights groups, who argue that the bill is discriminatory and will have a negative impact on transgender students.

The bill is part of a larger trend of GOP-led legislative efforts to restrict LGBTQ rights in schools. According to the Human Rights Campaign, there are currently over 100 bills in 29 states that target transgender people, including bills that would limit access to gender-affirming healthcare and prohibit transgender athletes from participating in sports.

The Arkansas bill is the first of several similar bills expected to be enacted this year, and it remains to be seen how it will be enforced and what the implications will be for transgender students.