Court Halts Idaho's Transgender Bathroom Law Amid Legal Fight

WHO:

NBC News - A judge ruled on the case involving transgender individuals in Idaho.

KBOI - The law was signed by Idaho Governor Brad Little.

KBOI - The lawsuit was filed by six transgender Idaho residents, represented by the American Civil Liberties Union, the ACLU of Idaho, Lambda Legal, Munger, Tolles & Olson, and the Alturas Law Group.

WHAT:

NBC News - A judge ruled that transgender people won’t face criminal charges for using public restrooms that match their gender identities.

KBOI - A federal judge granted a preliminary injunction blocking enforcement of H.B. 752, which threatened transgender individuals with up to five years in prison for using restrooms consistent with their gender identity.

KBOI - H.B. 752 would have made a first offense a misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in prison and a second offense a felony punishable by up to five years in prison.

WHERE:

KBOI - The law applies to public restrooms in Idaho, including government-owned buildings and private businesses open to the public.

WHEN:

KBOI - H.B. 752 was set to take effect on July 1.

KBOI - The lawsuit was filed in April 2026, and the ruling granted a request for a preliminary injunction in May 2026.

WHY:

KBOI - The Idaho Fraternal Order of Police and the Idaho Chiefs of Police Association opposed H.B. 752, stating there is no “clear or reasonable way” to determine a person’s sex at birth without invasive questioning or searches.

KBOI - The lawsuit argues that H.B. 752 violates constitutional rights to due process, equal protection, and privacy.

HOW:

KBOI - The court's order limits enforcement of H.B. 752 while the legal challenge continues.

(UPDATED June 17, 2026 06:46 UTC)

A federal judge has ruled that transgender individuals in Idaho will not face criminal charges for using public restrooms that align with their gender identities, granting a preliminary injunction against the enforcement of H.B. 752, which could have imposed severe penalties. This law, signed by Idaho Governor Brad Little, was set to take effect on July 1 and would have classified restroom use consistent with gender identity as a misdemeanor for a first offense and a felony for subsequent offenses. The lawsuit, filed by six transgender residents with support from several legal organizations, argues that the law violates constitutional rights and has faced opposition from local law enforcement groups who highlighted the challenges in determining a person's sex at birth.