‘More Must Be Done’ As Bathroom Privacy Amendment Does Not Address Problem

After the smoke cleared after Sunday evening, it was obvious the so-called “bathroom amendment” was no SB 6. Not even close.

The Texas Values policy and legal team has found Rep. Chris Paddie’s amendment concerning privacy in school restrooms to be insufficient. Texas Values stands with Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and a coalition of advocacy organizations that there is still time left this session to fully protect privacy. The media is starting to report on the deficiency of the amendment.

See a coalition letter calling for a thorough solution to privacy in Texas intimate facilities.

Rep. Paddie’s amendment to SB 2078 Sunday evening, the team found, does not specifically prevent school districts from allowing boys in a girls’ multiuse bathroom, shower facility, or locker room – as Fort Worth ISD, Dripping Springs ISD, and Coppell ISD have allowed for in absence of specific state law.

“More must be done,” said Texas Values President Jonathan Saenz.

“Our policy and legal team agrees with Lt. Gov. Patrick that Rep. Paddie’s purported privacy amendment is an insufficient solution to the growing problems and threats to privacy for our children in public bathrooms and locker rooms. We would have been happy to voice our concern earlier had we been given access to the Paddie amendment beforehand. The first time we saw the Paddie Amendment language on privacy was when he laid it out on the House floor late Sunday night. Texas school children deserve better than this and there’s still time to protect their privacy before the session ends.”

SB 6, The Texas Privacy Act, would keep men out of women’s restrooms in Texas schools and government buildings. SB 6 was passed in the Senate but was stopped in the Texas House by Rep. Byron Cook and Speaker of the House Joe Straus. A House version of the measure (HB 2899) was given a late-night hearing but no committee vote and has since died. Gov. Greg Abbott has said he would sign a privacy bill when it reaches his desk.

The bills may have stalled, but the problems they address persist. See this link for details about the most recent violation of privacy in a Texas public school restroom.

A list of privacy violation incidents from across Texas may be read at the following link: http://tinyurl.com/SB6Texasincidents (PDF).

Additional information:

• Six Essential Facts About Senate Bill 6: http://tinyurl.com/sb6Facts
• List of businesses and organizations which support privacy: http://tinyurl.com/sb6businesses
• 700 pastors support Texas Privacy Act: http://tinyurl.com/700pastors
• Testimonial videos in support of SB 6: http://tinyurl.com/sb6videos