New York Assembly Bill A00805

New York 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/8/25
• Refer: 1/8/25
• Report Pass: 2/25/25
• Engrossed: 3/26/25
• Refer: 3/26/25

Caption

Relates to requiring gender neutral bathrooms in state-owned buildings; provides that if no single-occupancy bathroom can be designated as gender neutral in a state-owned building, a multiple-occupancy bathroom shall be designated as gender neutral instead; requires state-owned and state-leased buildings to provide adequate notice regarding gender neutral bathrooms.

Summary

A00805 would amend New York’s public buildings law to require gender-neutral bathrooms in state-owned buildings. The bill builds on existing law by defining a “multiple-occupancy bathroom” and directing that, if a single-occupancy bathroom cannot be designated as gender neutral in a state-owned building, a multiple-occupancy bathroom must be designated instead. It also requires adequate notice in state-owned and state-leased buildings so that people can reasonably locate bathrooms designated as gender neutral. The measure is aimed at expanding access to gender-neutral restroom facilities in public buildings and making those facilities easier to find. It applies to state-owned buildings directly and extends the notice requirement to both state-owned and state-leased buildings. The bill would take effect 90 days after becoming law, giving agencies and building operators time to implement signage and designation changes.

Impact

The bill would amend section 145 of the public buildings law by revising the section heading and adding a definition for “multiple-occupancy bathroom,” along with new requirements for restroom designation and notice. In practice, state agencies and managers of state-owned buildings would need to identify and designate gender-neutral restrooms, including multiple-occupancy restrooms when no single-occupancy option is available, and ensure clear wayfinding in state-owned and state-leased facilities. The bill affects state building operations, facilities management, and public access policies rather than private buildings.

Sentiment

The available voting history suggests generally favorable support for the bill, though not unanimous. It passed the Assembly Governmental Operations Committee 8-5 and later passed the Assembly floor 89-60, indicating meaningful support from a majority of members but also a substantial minority opposed. No committee transcript was provided, so the record here reflects the votes and the bill’s sponsorship rather than detailed debate.

Contention

The main point of contention appears to be whether state buildings should be required to designate gender-neutral bathrooms, especially the bill’s fallback provision allowing a multiple-occupancy restroom to be designated when no single-occupancy restroom is available. Supporters likely view the bill as improving inclusion, accessibility, and clarity for the public, while opponents may object to the use of shared restrooms as gender-neutral facilities or to the broader policy implications of mandating such designations in state buildings. The split committee and floor votes show that restroom policy and gender-related facility designation remain politically divisive.