Montgomery County Council considers bill to require all new single-occupancy bathrooms designated as gender neutral

County Council Vice President Evan Glass and Council member Sidney Katz introduced the bill on Feb. 15. “Whenever a new single-occupancy bathroom is built, it needs to be gender-neutral,” Glass said in an interview with WTOP.

The bill would apply to government buildings, restaurants, and other businesses. Private restrooms like those in residences, hotels, and hospitals would be exempt from this.

County members in support believe this bill would make the community more inclusive without causing too much difficulty. Glass, the first openly LGBTQ+ member of the Council, agrees with their sentiments. “Members of our trans, nonbinary and disability communities often feel anxious and ignored by the choices of restrooms in commercial spaces. This legislation will help provide ease and comfort to them and everyone.” Glass said in a press release.

In addition to helping community members who are nonbinary or transgender feel more comfortable, supporters of the bill believe it will help disabled community members who have caretakers of a different gender, as well as parents of children of a different gender. 

Surrounding counties like Howard County have implemented similar legislation, and a similar policy is currently pending in the Maryland General Assembly. 

A public hearing regarding the bill is tentatively scheduled for March 8 at 1:30 p.m.