PIERRE, S.D.(SDBA)- The state House is passing one transgender bill on to the governor and another to the Senate.
SB 46 passed 50 to 17 with no debate after being deferred last week, and will now pass on to the Governor’s desk to be signed. This bill mandates schools to designate sports as either male or female and forces students to participate in sports that match their sex at birth.
HB 1005 passed 38 to 29 after a lengthy debate and will now go to the Senate. This bill mandates schools to designate restrooms, changing rooms, and overnight sleeping rooms as either male or female and requires students to use the one that matches their sex at birth.
Proponents of the bills argue they are about protecting fairness and privacy for all students.
Opponents argue the bills are discriminatory and will cause harm to transgender youth.