The state of Utah has been overwhelmed with over 4,000 false complaints about transgender individuals using public bathrooms just 72 days after the implementation of a program to report such instances. The auditor’s office created an online complaint form as part of the controversial “Sex-based Designations for Privacy, Anti-bullying and Women’s Opportunities” bill, signed into law in January, which requires individuals to use bathrooms corresponding to their reproductive organs. If violations are not resolved, fines up to $10,000 per violation per day can be imposed by the Utah attorney general’s office.
Utah Auditor John Dougall expressed skepticism about the credibility of the complaints, stating that none of them appeared credible. The law mandates the auditor’s office to investigate alleged violations and refer them to the attorney general’s office if necessary. Dougall noted that identifying false claims has been relatively easy, especially if his name is listed as a complainant. The online tool specifies that complaints must pertain to violations at publicly owned or controlled facilities, programs, or events, and citizens are encouraged to address concerns with the government entity before submitting a complaint.
Sending false reports to the auditor’s office is not illegal, but repeatedly making false reports to emergency officials can result in a misdemeanor charge. The law significantly impacts Utah’s transgender community, which constitutes less than 1% of the state’s population. Transgender individuals are limited to using restrooms based on their biological gender and are prohibited from using locker rooms and showers at public facilities that do not align with their biological gender. However, those who have undergone gender reassignment surgery and updated their gender on their birth certificates are exempt from these restrictions.
John Dougall speculated that the state legislature may not have anticipated the extent of public backlash generated by the law. He highlighted the ease of identifying false claims and emphasized the importance of good faith efforts to resolve concerns with the government entity before submitting a complaint. The surge in false complaints has posed a challenge for Utah officials tasked with investigating alleged violations. Despite the difficulties faced, the auditor’s office continues to process and address complaints in accordance with the requirements set forth by the “Sex-based Designations for Privacy, Anti-bullying and Women’s Opportunities” bill.
