After Representatives Kirk Wagoner, Lola-Sheldon Galloway, Casey Knudsen and Dale Mortenson voted not to protect girl’s privacy and dignity in locker rooms, the Montana Family Foundation announced today that they will instead bring the Montana Locker Room Privacy Act as a ballot initiative.

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“The people of Montana want to see privacy, safety and dignity protected in our locker rooms and showers,” said Jeff Laszloffy, President of the Montana Family Foundation. “Girls shouldn’t have to shower in front of boys. It’s just common sense. We will take the Locker Room Privacy Act to the people and let them have their say.” 

Working with Rep. Carl Glimm of Kila, the Montana Family Foundation helped bring forward HB609, the Montana Locker Room Privacy Act, ensuring that girls wouldn’t have to shower or change in front of boys, and boys don’t have to shower or change in front of girls. The House Judiciary Committee tabled the bill today. All of the Republicans who voted to kill the bill previously cosponsored the legislation, then chose not to honor that committment.

“Today’s vote is sad, but ultimately the people of Montana will have their say,” said Laszloffy. “We’ll gather the signatures to put this on the ballot. It’s the right thing to do, and the people support it.”

The Montana Family Foundation has worked on two previous opportunities for Montanans to vote on policy: protecting marriage between a man and a woman, and requiring parental notification in the case of a minor seeking abortion.

Both passed with more than 60 percent of the vote.