Montana House Passes Bill Prohibiting Biological Males from Female Spaces
"Proud day for Montana—as we stood up for women and girls"
The Montana House of Representatives on Wednesday passed House Bill (HB) 121, which protects females from biological males entering their spaces.
The House passed the vote along party lines. Fifty-eight Republicans voted for this bill, while 42 Democrats voted against it.
“This is a proud day for Montana—as we stood up for women and girls,” said State Rep. Kerri Seekins-Crowe (R-Billings), sponsor of HB 121. “This bill ensures that no woman or girl will be forced to sacrifice her privacy or safety in spaces where she deserves to feel secure. Montana has sent a clear message that we value the dignity of all women.”
Speaker of the Montana House of Representatives Brandon Ler (R-Savage) said this bill “reflects the values that define Montana—respect for individual dignity and a firm commitment to safety.”
“I am confident that the Montana Senate and Governor Greg Gianforte will recognize the importance of this legislation and will move quickly to sign it into law,” he said.
HB 121 says that women should be “afforded privacy and safety from acts of abuse, harassment, sexual assault, and violence committed by men.”
The proposed law defines a male as someone with XY chromosomes and a female as someone with XX chromosomes.
“An individual may not enter a restroom, changing room, or sleeping quarters that is designated for females or males unless the individual is a member of the designated sex,” the bill proposal says.
This bill also permits individuals to file a civil lawsuit if they find someone of the opposite sex in a restroom or changing room designated for their sex.
This proposed law holds liable both the person using the incorrect bathroom and anyone who did not stop them from entering the wrong area, allowing for potential lawsuits.
HB 121, also known as the Standing for Women’s Privacy and Safety Bill, will go to the Montana State Senate for further deliberations.
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Zachery Schmidt is the founder of The Montana Chronicles. If you have any tips, please send them to montanachronicles@proton.me.