Learn About Texas Senate Bill 8 (SB-8)

The law defines “female” as a person who has, will have, or previously had a reproductive system that produces eggs for fertilization. It also Includes a person who “would have had” such a system but for a birth defect.

The law defines “male” as a person who has, will have, or previously had a reproductive system that produces sperm for fertilization. It also includes a person who “would have had” such a system but for a birth defect.

The law applies to every multi-occupant “private space” in each building that the college “owns, operates or controls,” including leased spaces.

A “multiple-occupancy private space” means a facility designed for simultaneous use by more than one individual and in which individuals “may be in a state of undress in the presence of another individual.” The term expressly includes a restroom, locker room, changing room or shower room. A multi-occupant private space is covered by the law regardless of whether curtains or partial walls are available to provide privacy.

No. If a private space is multi-occupant, then it must be designated as male or female.

Yes. Senate Bill 8 allows a public school or college to maintain single-occupant restrooms, also known as unisex or universal restrooms or family restrooms. These restrooms may be used by any person without regard to sex. These restrooms also may be used by individuals who need the assistance of another person while using the facility. These restrooms have a lock.

A map identifying the locations of all single-occupant restrooms in Dallas College buildings is available on the Maps and Locations webpage.

Under Senate Bill 8, a school or college may, as required by law or policy, accommodate an individual with a disability, a young child or an elderly individual who requires assistance when using a multiple-occupant private space. However, Senate Bill 8 prohibits granting an accommodation to a person who seeks to use a multi-occupant private space that is opposite to the individual’s biological sex.

Employees with questions about accommodations should contact the Human Resources Employee Center.

Students with questions about accommodations should contact Accessibility Services at DSSO@DallasCollege.edu.

A child who is 9 years old or under may enter an opposite-sex facility when accompanied by their parent or caregiver. A child who is 10 years old or older must use the restroom that corresponds to the child’s biological sex or a unisex/family restroom.

Individuals should be aware of where the facilities are located in other buildings and make arrangements (allot necessary time, distance, etc.) to use them accordingly. They may also contact the Facilities Helpdesk at 972-860-5442 for information, options and support.

Yes, the law provides exceptions to the restrictions it imposes. In addition to the exception mentioned in Questions No. 5 and 6, Senate Bill 8 allows a person to enter a single-sex facility for the following reasons:

• for a custodial, maintenance or inspection purpose
• to render medical or other emergency assistance
• for a law enforcement purpose
• to render assistance necessary to prevent a serious threat to proper order or safety

As stated in response to Question No. 8, the law provides certain exceptions, including exceptions for employees whose job duties require them to perform a custodial, maintenance or inspection task; to render medical or other emergency assistance; to perform a law enforcement activity; or to render assistance necessary to prevent a serious threat to proper order or safety. Employees with specific questions about the impact of Senate Bill 8 on their job duties should speak with their immediate supervisor.

An individual with questions about privacy, safety or violations of the law should contact the Office of Institutional Equity and Compliance at TitleIX@DallasCollege.edu. Individuals may submit an incident report or complaint at the Dallas College Ethics Hotline. If someone believes they are in danger, they should contact campus police at 972-860-4290.

For the safety of all restroom users, Dallas College discourages confrontations inside a restroom. In addition, to ensure safety and privacy in restrooms, locker rooms and other private spaces where people may be in a state of undress, Dallas College prohibits photography and audio recording inside these locations.

Any individual who is not comfortable using a multi-occupant facility may use any unisex/family restroom on campus. A map identifying these facilities is available at Maps and Locations.

All employees are responsible for helping to maintain a welcoming and comfortable environment for all members of our community. If an employee receives a report or learns of or suspects a violation of law or district policies, the employee should promptly contact the Dallas College Ethics Hotline.

No employee may ask or direct any person to remove clothing or to reveal a portion of their body that is covered by clothing. Bodily inspections are prohibited.

The district is committed to providing safe and comfortable facilities for all students, faculty, staff and visitors. Any person who believes that they are being subjected to restroom harassment or discrimination should report their concern to the Office of Institutional Equity and Compliance TitleIX@DallasCollege.edu. If someone is in immediate danger, they should contact Dallas College police at 972-860-4290.

Individuals who believe that they are being subjected to discrimination or harassment on the basis of sex should report to the Dallas College Title IX Office at TitleIX@DallasCollege.edu.

Dallas College, through authorized and trained personnel, will investigate alleged violations in accordance with applicable policies and procedures.

You may read the text of Senate Bill 8 on the state of Texas website.