The Idaho Capital Sun reports:

The Idaho House on Monday widely approved a bill that expands on the state’s law banning transgender people from using their preferred school bathrooms. House Bill 607, written by the Idaho Family Policy Center, would allow people to sue if government entities and private businesses don’t ensure their restrooms and changing facilities are separated by sex. Bill sponsor Rep. Ted Hill, an Eagle Republican, says the bill is about keeping people safe.

Rep. Stephanie Mickelsen, an Idaho Falls Republican, called the bill “an activist’s dream.” “It puts a bounty on the government of $10,000 just simply for somebody being in the wrong room — not for them having done anything, but just having been in the wrong room,” she said on the House floor. “I think that this bill is actually a way to intimidate and harass private businesses to push someone’s particular agenda.” Mickelsen voted for the bill, which passed on a 56-13 vote.

Read the full article. 

The bill’s sponsor, state Rep. Ted Hill [photo], last appeared here in 2024 for his successful bill banning teachers from referring to students with their preferred pronouns. Also before the Idaho House is a bill that would fine the state capital of Boise for flying the Pride flag. Last year the Boise City Council adopted the progress Pride flag as an official city flag after anti-LGBTQ state lawmakers banned “unofficial” flags from all government buildings.