The Senate Committee of the Whole on Feb. 21 reported House Bill 72, the "Protecting Women's Privacy in Public Spaces Act," favorably after extended debate and adoption of a technical standing committee amendment and a subsequent roll-call vote.

Sponsor Senator Craigo (floor presentation) said the bill addresses use of multi-occupancy changing areas, restrooms and sleeping quarters, and that it applies to public facilities, educational institutions (including universities and community colleges) and correctional facilities. Craigo described definitions for "female" and "male" in the bill and said the measure includes exemptions for single-occupancy facilities, employees acting in the course of employment (for example, cleaners), and temporary facility re-designations (for tournaments or events).

Debate covered scope and drafting. Opponents and some cautious supporters said the bill was broader than an earlier Senate draft that covered K-12 schools and urged more careful reconciliation of corrections/jails provisions and exemptions for state-owned residential properties. Senator Nethercott warned the bill was "unwieldy" and said correctional facilities already have federal law and policies for inmate management. Other senators (including Steinmetz and Dockstader) urged the bill be allowed to proceed so committees could refine language in later readings.

After a standing/voice count failed to end debate, the clerk called a roll call under Senate rules; House Bill 72 passed the Committee of the Whole on a roll call: 16 yeas, 14 nays, 1 excused. Senators who spoke on both sides emphasized protecting minors and privacy in public spaces while noting the need for additional drafting on exceptions and institutional implementation.

Sponsors said they intend to return with technical cleanups for correctional facilities and exemptions for residential properties owned or leased by the state as the bill moves through subsequent readings.