PIERRE, S.D. -- The South Dakota Senate on Tuesday followed earlier approval by the House to pass a bill that would require public school students to use the bathroom, shower and locker room that correspond to their biological sex.
If Republican Gov. Dennis Daugaard signs the bill, as expected, South Dakota would become the first state to approve such a law.
The bill, passed 20-15 by the state Senate, has provoked anger from gay and transgender rights activists, who say it discriminates against transgender children. They say that it could put schools at risk of lawsuits.
But the bill’s proponents have argued that the legislation protects privacy of students while also meeting the needs of transgender students by requiring that schools allow them to use private facilities, such as a teacher’s or nurse’s bathroom.
The Republican governor has said as far as he was aware he hadn't met a transgender person and likely wouldn't do so before making a decision to ensure objectivity.
