NC Republicans introduce ‘bathroom bill’ years after HB2 boycotts

Critics say the bill will significantly roll back transgender rights and cost the state billions in business

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — A bill introduced to the state senate by NC Republicans could restrict which bathrooms transgender people can use. 

Senate Bill 516 called the Women’s Safety and Protection Act would require that all bathrooms in public schools and other facilities only be used by one biological sex at a time. 

The bill would also remove the ability for people to change their gender on their birth certificate or driver’s license.  

The bill has drawn comparisons to a similar bill that was passed in 2016 that caused nationwide controversy. When it passed, House Bill 2 led industries from film to manufacturing to boycott the state.

That law was later repealed. Former NC House Representative Susi Hamilton voted against that bill in 2016. She was also the chair of former Gov. Cooper’s Task Force on Film, Television, and Digital Production. 

She said advancing another bathroom bill would cost the state billions. 

“We should have learned the lesson the first round. To go at it again and risk loosing another 5 or 6 billion dollars in revenue in this state is unconscionable and that’s not leadership,” Hamilton said. 

The bill passed its first reading and was referred to the Committee on Rules and Operations on Wednesday.