Washington Business Journal reported on an interesting news item coming out of the District Wednesday: Gender neutral bathrooms.
In 2006, the D.C. Office of Human Rights issued a regulation that prohibited single occupancy public restrooms from being labeled as gender specific. The policy was intended to prevent discrimination against transgender men and women.
Although the rule has been on the books for seven years now it hasn’t really been enforced. But, according to WBJ, that could all change soon. Public places that do not change their signs will now be slapped with a Class 3 civil infraction, possibly resulting in a $500 fine.
The Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs’ Construction Codes Coordinating Board, the agency that will administer these fines, however, said the enforcement will still be more educational, likely a warning rather than “the strict issuing of fines.” The agency says it hasn't heard any objection to its stricter enforcement.
The Office of Human Rights pushed for the change following the release of a study that showed that “transgender people experienced significant problems with public bathroom facilities.”
IN OTHER NEWS
Stephen Colbert names Virginia Senate Republicans “Alpha Dogs of the Week” (and includes a clip of News4's Eun Yang!)
* Virginia Senate panel debates proposed electoral college system, which would have given Romney 9 of the state’s 13 electoral college votes in 2012.
* Virginia gun show loophole isn't likely to close this year
* Poll shows McAuliffe and Cuccinelli in a dead heat
* Candidates dropping out of D.C. at-large special election
* Maryland officials still negotiating with feds to retain Medicare waiver worth billions
* New York Times: Democrats say redistricting in Virginia hurts blacks
* O’Malley’s budget includes $336 million for school construction
* Norton suggests Feds pay for Bloomingdale flood fix
* Gov. McDonnell’s transportation plan passes fist hurdle
* Norquist vs. McDonnell
* Students still fleeing D.C. school system
* Issa still wary of D.C. budget referendum
