A federal judge has decided to temporarily block parts of a law banning people from using bathrooms of the opposite sex in Idaho’s public spaces that comes into effect on July 1.
The law bans the use of bathrooms, change rooms, or showers in spaces open to the public that do not match an individual’s sex at birth. Violations are punishable by up to one year in prison, and up to five years for repeat offenders, with exceptions for cleaners, coaches, legal guardians, minors, or those rendering medical, law enforcement, or emergency aid.
The law also has exemptions allowing for the use of single-user facilities of the opposite sex if no others are “reasonably available,” and instances of “dire need” when no other facilities are reasonably available….