What's happening
This bill requires all single-occupancy bathrooms in state-owned or operated buildings to be designated as gender neutral.
Why it matters
Expands and clarifies which buildings are covered. By defining "state agency," "state-owned building," and "state-leased building," the bill sets clearer guidelines for which facilities must comply, ensuring the policy consistently applies across a wide range of state-controlled spaces.
Increases privacy and accessibility. The definition of "single-occupancy bathroom" emphasizes privacy (requiring lockable doors), which not only supports gender inclusivity but also benefits people with disabilities, families, or anyone needing additional privacy.
Mandates state agencies to implement changes. The bill explicitly places responsibility on each state agency to ensure compliance, making it an actionable requirement rather than a general guideline, increasing the likelihood that actual signage and designations will change.
Potentially affects leased as well as owned spaces. By including state-leased buildings "where practicable," the bill could impact a variety of locations, including temporary or rented state offices, broadening the reach of gender-neutral bathroom access.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Make Bathrooms Gender Neutral
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Substituted by S6937
- Advanced to third reading cal.341
- Reported
- Referred to governmental operations
- Referred to governmental operations
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Make Bathrooms Gender Neutral
Signed by Governor · Sponsor Julia Salazar
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
8974
IN ASSEMBLY
January 6, 2020
Introduced by M. of A. L. ROSENTHAL -- read once and referred to the Committee on Governmental Operations
AN ACT to amend the public buildings law, in relation to requiring that all single-occupancy bathrooms in state-owned or operated buildings be designated as gender neutral
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 145 of the public buildings law, as added by a chapter of the laws of 2019, amending the public buildings law relating to requiring that all single occupancy bathrooms in state owned or operated buildings be designated as gender neutral, as proposed in legislative bills numbers S. 5922 and A. 109, is amended to read as follows:
§ 145. Gender neutral [single occupancy] single-occupancy bathrooms. [The commissioner of general services shall have the power and it shall be his or her duty to ensure that all single occupancy bathrooms in state owned or operated buildings be designated as gender neutral single occupancy bathrooms. For purposes of this section: "state owned or operated buildings" shall mean any state owned property used for official state business, and shall include any building or office space, not owned by the state, but which is primarily used for official state business; and "single occupancy" shall mean intended for use by no more than one occupant at a time or for family or assisted use.] 1. As used in this section:
(a) "state agency" means any state department, office, board, bureau, commission, agency, or any public authority or public benefit corporation at least one of whose members is appointed by the governor.
(b) "state-owned building" means any building owned by a state agency used for official state business.
(c) "state-leased building" means any building or portion of any building leased by a state agency for office or residential occupancy.
(d) "single-occupancy bathroom" means a bathroom intended for use by no more than one occupant at a time or for family or assisted use and which has a door for entry into and egress from the bathroom that may be locked by the occupant to ensure privacy and security.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD12041-01-9
A. 8974 2
2. Each state agency shall ensure that all single-occupancy bathrooms under its jurisdiction be designated as gender neutral in state-owned buildings and, where practicable, in state-leased buildings.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the same date and in the same manner as a chapter of the laws of 2019, amending the public buildings law relating to requiring that all single occupancy bathrooms in state owned or operated buildings be designated as gender neutral, as proposed in legislative bills numbers S. 5922 and A. 109, takes effect.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.