Federal Judge Blocks Idaho Law Criminalizing Transgender Bathroom Use

Key Points:

• A federal judge ruled that Idaho cannot immediately enforce its new law criminalizing the use of restrooms that do not match an individual's sex at birth, providing a temporary reprieve for transgender residents.
• The law, set to take effect on July 1, could have imposed up to five years in prison for transgender people using restrooms aligned with their gender identity.
• Judge Amanda K. Brailsford granted a preliminary injunction, stating the law is likely unconstitutional due to its vagueness and the subjective enforcement decisions required of officers.
• The ruling permits transgender individuals to use single-stall restrooms matching their gender identity or multi-user restrooms when single-user options are unavailable, while not addressing locker room and shower provisions.
• The case was brought by six transgender Idaho residents claiming the law violates constitutional rights, but the judge focused on the law’s vagueness rather than equal protection or privacy claims.