Repeal-and-Replace of NC Privacy Law (HB 2): Left Furious, State Retains Control
Today, the North Carolina legislature voted to repeal and replace HB 2 in a compromise that doesn’t appear to lead to a violation of women’s and children’s privacy. The language of the compromise bill, HB 142, signals that control over these issues is best exercised by the states. LGBT groups are furious and responded quickly with anger and condemnation of the repeal-and-replace effort.
Said Jonathan Saenz, President of Texas Values:
“A bill like Texas’ SB 6 will allow the state to have a statewide, consistent law on privacy issues so we can focus on solutions and not sound bites. That is essentially what a bipartisan group of North Carolina legislators voted for today with the repeal and replace effort that resulted in new legislation, HB 142. It’s a shame though, that NCAA refuses to be a team player and their bully tactics are getting more attention from lawmakers than the overwhelming voice of the voters. We think Texas is better than this and we will show this with the passage of SB 6.”
The repeal-and-replace bill for HB 2 does three primary things: 1) repeals HB 2, 2) leaves regulation of multi-occupancy facilities to the state, returning to the status quo prior to the passage of Charlotte’s LGBT bathroom ordinance, 3) implements a four-year moratorium on local ordinances on issues of public accommodations (bathrooms, locker rooms), including ones like the Charlotte ordinance that would have allowed men into women’s bathrooms. One section of the newly passed HB 142 says: “No local government in this State may enact or amend an ordinance regulating private employment practices or regulating public accommodations.”
Here is how the LGBT left responded to the repeal and replace effort on HB 2 in North Carolina:
Human Rights Coalition: “This bill does nothing to repeal HB2. Instead, it institutes a statewide prohibition on equality by banning non-discrimination protections across North Carolina and fuels the flames of anti-transgender hate. Each and every lawmaker who supported this bill has betrayed the LGBTQ community. HRC will explore every legal action to combat this dangerous legislation, and we urge all businesses, sports leagues and entertainers who have fought against HB2 to continue to stand strong with the LGBTQ community attacked by this hateful law.” –Chad Griffin, HRC President.
ACLU: “Lawmakers must reject this disgraceful backroom deal that uses the rights of LGBT people as a bargaining chip. The way to undo HB2’s profound damage to North Carolina and its people has always been a full, clean repeal, but this proposal would keep anti-LGBT provisions of the law in place and continue to single out and target transgender people.” –Sarah Gillooly, policy director for the ACLU of North Carolina.
Equality North Carolina: “HB2 was hastily passed without any input from the LGBTQ community just one year ago. Today, we returned to the legislature with a deal made between Governor Cooper, Phil Berger and Tim Moore that once again left out the ones most impacted by the discriminatory law – LGBTQ North Carolinians. Lawmakers and Governor Cooper have failed to resolve the problems with HB2 by doubling down on discrimination. Once again, the North Carolina General Assembly has enshrined discrimination into North Carolina law.” –Chris Sgro, Equality NC Executive Director.
The full repeal and replace bill may be read here: http://www.ncleg.net/Sessions/2017/Bills/House/PDF/H142v4.pdf
Texas’ SB 6 was passed recently by a bipartisan group of Senate members, but has not yet been considered by the Texas House. Polling indicates that 7 in 10 Texans support SB 6 and over 50 percent of Democrat voters support SB 6.
More information:
- Six Essential Facts About Senate Bill 6: http://tinyurl.com/sb6Facts
- List of businesses and organizations which support SB 6: http://tinyurl.com/sb6businesses
- Testimonial videos in support of SB 6: http://tinyurl.com/sb6videos
About Texas Values
Texas Values is a nonprofit organization dedicated to standing for faith, family, and freedom in Texas. More information is available at txvalues.org