South Dakota, Mississippi pass laws restricting men from entering women’s restrooms, locker rooms
March 25, 2025
Mississippi and South Dakota are the latest states to sign into law measures prohibiting men from entering private spaces reserved for women, including restrooms, sleeping quarters and locker rooms.
The Christian Post reports that last Thursday, Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves signed the Dignity and Safety for Incarcerated Women Act, which prohibits men from using restrooms and changing rooms designated for women.
The new law codifies that, “A restroom or changing room within a correctional facility that is designated for one sex shall be used only by members of that sex. No incarcerated individual shall enter a restroom or changing room that is designated for one sex unless he or she is a member of that sex.”
The law further states, “A sleeping quarter within a correctional facility that is designated for one sex shall be used only by members of that sex. No incarcerated individual shall be housed in a sleeping quarter that is designated for one sex unless he or she is a member of that sex.”
Meanwhile, last Friday, South Dakota Governor Larry Rhoden signed into law House Bill 1259 which states that, “a male may not enter a changing room or restroom designated exclusively for females” and “a female may not enter a changing room or restroom designated exclusively for males.”
The new South Dakota law also mandates that public schools and other state-owned properties, “take reasonable steps to provide individuals with privacy in changing rooms, restrooms, and sleeping quarters by designating each as available for use exclusively by female students or for use exclusively by male students.”
According to the Christian Post, HB 1259 exempts people acting in official capacities like police, firefighters and custodians as well as anyone, “who accompanies a child under the age of [10], if the individual is the child’s parent or lawful chaperone,” or “who accompanies another individual requiring assistance because of age or a disability.”
Sara Beth Nolan, legal counsel with the Alliance Defending Freedom, praised the signing of the measure, saying that it, “ensures that girls’ spaces in public schools and public buildings are not open to men and prioritizes privacy and safety for every South Dakota girl.”
The ACLU of South Dakota released a statement saying that the passage of the law puts, “vulnerable trans youth at risk for abuse and harassment.”
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