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South Dakota House Committee advances ban on trans bathroom policies (Audio)

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South Dakota House Committee advances ban on trans bathroom policies (Audio)
KWAT

February 1, 2022

PIERRE, S.D. (AP) — A South Dakota bill that would ban transgender students from using school bathrooms that match their gender identity has cleared its first hurdle in the Legislature.

The House State Affairs committee sent the bill to a vote on the House floor on a 7-5 vote.

The bill’s author, Representative Fred Deutsch of Florence (pictured), says the bill is needed because of a new policy in the Vermillion School District that allows transgender students to use the bathroom that matches their gender identity….

The Republican-controlled Legislature has taken up several bills aimed at transgender youth this year.

Transgender advocates and organizations representing school districts say the bills will only increase the bullying and alienation trans students face.