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Transgender people won’t face criminal charges for using public restrooms in Idaho, judge rules

By
FOX Local
LGBTQ
Published June 17, 2026 3:21 PM MST
Published June 17, 2026 3:21 PM MST
article

FILE-General view of the Idaho State Capitol Building on May 23, 2021 in Boise, Idaho. (Photo by AaronP/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images/Getty Images)

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The Brief 

    • A federal judge ruled that portions of an Idaho law on transgender people using public bathrooms was too vague to enforce.
    • Six transgender people in Idaho sued the state over its law.
    • Idaho is among multiple states that have legislation limiting which bathrooms transgender can use in schools or other public buildings. 

A judge ruled that transgender individuals won’t face criminal charges for using public restrooms in Idaho that match their gender identities.

U.S. District Judge Amanda Brailsford’s ruling on Tuesday placed on hold enforcement of key parts of a law adopted in March, which was set to be implemented on July 1.

RELATED: Kansas lawmakers impose extensive anti-trans bathroom law

The Associated Press reported that six transgender Idaho residents sued the state, arguing that the law is unconstitutionally vague. Brailsford agreed and ruled that parts of the law were too vague to implement. 

Meanwhile, Idaho Attorney General Raul Labrador stated that he plans to appeal the ruling. Labrador told the AP that even with the ruling, it can take effect regarding changing rooms and some restrooms. It also applies to people who are not transgender.

How does Idaho’s transgender bathroom law compare with other states?

Dig deeper:

Nineteen states, including Idaho, have laws that restrict which bathrooms transgender can use in schools or other public buildings.

Idaho Gov. Brad Little signed the state’s law in March which applies to restrooms— even in private buildings, if they're open to the public. 

RELATED: Iowa governor signs gender-affirming care ban, bathroom law

The legislation also introduced criminal penalties, including up to a year in jail for a first offense and up to five years in prison for a second offense.

Idaho’s law included exceptions permitting an individual to use a single-use restroom specified for the "opposite sex" if it's the only "reasonably available" one — and when the individual is in "dire need" of using the restroom.

The Source: Information for this story was provided by The Associated Press, which obtained information on the Idaho bathroom law and received comments from Idaho Attorney General Raul Labrador on the judge’s ruling. This story was reported from Washington, D.C. 


 

LGBTQPoliticsIdahoEquity and InclusionNews