There were plenty of people on either side of the House Bill 2 debate unhappy with the compromise signed into law last week. But perhaps no one could have predicted the fight would resume so quickly.
A brand new “bathroom bill” is being proposed by Republicans in the North Carolina State House and Senate.
Just four days after the contentiously crafted compromise that replaced HB2, enter Tabor City Republican State Rep. Brenden Jones’ HB562. The bill could make it tougher for transgender people to use public bathrooms by imposing harsher penalties for “trespassing” in restrooms — making it a Class 1 misdemeanor punishable up to 120 days in jail.
“We don’t know if this bill is going to go anywhere or not. It just seems like a very transparent attempt to target transgender people in North Carolina,” said Ames Simmons, transgender policy director for LGBT advocacy group Equality NC.
Rep. Jones did not return calls or emails from ABC11 on Wednesday night. But in a recent Facebook post, Jones restated his unwillingness to allow men and women to share public restrooms and changing facilities.
Jones, who voted in favor of the HB2 replacement bill wrote, “(it) clearly states that radical city councils like Charlotte and other government entities CANNOT regulate access of multiple occupancy restrooms, showers, or changing facilities. Only the NC General Assembly may enact bathroom ordinances.”
(Source: http://abc11.com/politics/dont-look-now-but-a-new-bathroom-bill-is-in-the-works/1840942/)
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