§61. Safety and privacy in domestic violence shelters

            A. A domestic violence shelter shall designate each multi-occupancy restroom, changing room, and sleeping quarters for the exclusive use of any one of the following:

            (1) Females.

            (2) Males.

            (3) Members of the same family.

            B. A restroom, changing room, or sleeping quarters within a domestic violence shelter that is designated for females or males shall be used only by members of that sex. No individual shall enter a restroom, changing room, or sleeping quarters that is designated for females or males unless the individual is a member of that sex.

            C. The domestic violence shelter shall take reasonable steps to provide individuals with privacy in restrooms, changing rooms, and sleeping quarters from members of the opposite sex.

            D. This Section shall not apply to an individual who enters a restroom, changing room, or sleeping quarters designated for the opposite sex in any of the following circumstances:

            (1) To perform custodial services or maintenance of a restroom, changing room, or sleeping quarters that is normally used by the opposite sex.

            (2) To render medical assistance.

            (3) To render assistance by law enforcement.

            (4) To provide services or render aid during a natural disaster, a declared emergency, or when necessary to prevent a serious threat to good order or safety.

            E. Nothing in this Section shall be construed to prohibit a domestic violence shelter from adopting policies necessary to accommodate persons protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act or young children in need of physical assistance when using restrooms, changing facilities, or sleeping quarters.

            Acts 2024, No. 436, §1.