WRITTEN BY
Jerry Schillinger
Montana HD 55 Representative
Recently, I read Representative Brad
Barker’s version of a rule change I offered at our Joint Rules Committee meeting in Helena. Joint, meaning House and Senate members together to set rules that will affect both chambers in the upcoming session beginning January 6th. The rule change that I brought, would require men to use the men’s restroom and women to use the women’s restroom. Pretty basic. Currently there is no rule, there shouldn’t need to be, except these days there seems to be some confusion about who’s who and what’s what. So, in the absence of a rule, any man can access the women’s restroom and vice versa. In the proposed rule it would allow anyone, Representative Barker or anyone else, that may be confused about their sex, to request a chromosome test if denied access to the restroom. This test was the methodology used in Senate Bill 458 by Senator Glimm to establish the legal definition of one’s sex. It was passed by the legislature in 2023 and signed into law by the Governor. Representative Barker voted for this bill. Representative Barker would like the readers to believe the test is mandatory for all, not true. The restrooms in question, are the ones located between the Senate and House chambers, accessible only by legislative members and staff.
Read the complete article: Ensuring the Safety of Women While Using Capitol Washrooms
