Oklahoma House committee kills transgender bathroom measure

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) – An Oklahoma House committee has killed legislation that would require schools to provide separate restrooms for students who object to sharing them with transgender students.

The bill died Tuesday when lawmakers deadlocked 10-10 after committee members expressed concern about the cost schools would incur in providing separate bathrooms.

The measure was filed last week in opposition to the federal government’s guidance on the use of bathrooms and locker rooms by transgender students. It would have allowed students to ask schools for an "accommodation based on the student’s sincerely held religious beliefs" to avoid having to share restrooms with transgender students.

Chambers of commerce in Oklahoma City and Tulsa had urged lawmakers to kill the bill, warning of the "severe economic damage" that otherwise could result.