SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO AM) - After an hour and a half of emotional testimony, the Senate Education Committee today sent the transgender bill to the floor.
A Rapid City mother opposed to the bill recounted her daughter’s struggle with identifying as a male.
She says she doesn't want him in a separate locker room alone when the rest of his basketball team is in the boy's locker room. She added that he's not a girl but instead a respectful, intelligent young man.
Bill sponsor Republican Representative Fred Deutsch of Florence says transgender students aren’t the only ones struggling with identity.
Deutsch says the measure is about privacy. He says the majority of students want privacy, need privacy and deserve privacy.
The bill says school restrooms, locker rooms and showers shall be used by students of the same biological sex.
It states that transgender students will be provided a reasonable accommodation.
HB 1008 passed the House January 27th on a vote of 58 to 10.
Opponents to the measure say it will set up South Dakota and school district for federal and civil law suits.