Florida’s Private Colleges and Universities Implement Biological Sex Bathroom Policies

TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA — Students and faculty at Florida’s private colleges and universities are now required to use the bathrooms that are in accordance with their given sex. The new rule from the Florida Department of Health came into effect on July 1 which now brings private schools into the same standing as Florida’s public schools. 

The rule – voted on Wednesday by the Florida Board of Education – states that when a male or female restroom is unavailable, a unisex option is to be the accommodation. 

Not only does it apply to educational facilities and buildings on campuses, but student housing units are required to comply with the law. 

BILL SIGNED INTO LAW BACK IN MAY

The expansion to private colleges and universities comes months after Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the Safety in Private Spaces Act into law in May for public schools. According to the Florida State Board of Education, they voted unanimously in August to implement penalties for employees who violate the bathroom policies which state – at most – they could face termination. 

If an infraction against a public employee occurs more than once, schools will be forced to fire the employee.

Regardless if the person is an employee or not, any adult could be charged with second-degree trespassing misdemeanor if they knowingly enter a bathroom or changing facility that is not in accordance with their sex. 

Pro-LGBT groups claimed the bill was specifically targeting transgender Floridians but lawmakers refuted the claim. 

“There’s not anything in the language of this bill that is targeting any specific group,” said State Sen. Erin Grall (R-Fort Pierce) in May. “Rather, it speaks to the differences that we have as different sexes, as male and female.”