Senate Bill No. 418 establishes new regulations for the Department of Corrections regarding the designation and use of multi-occupancy restrooms, changing rooms, and sleeping quarters. The bill mandates that each facility must designate these areas for the exclusive use of either females or males, prohibiting individuals from entering spaces designated for the opposite sex. It also requires covered entities to take reasonable steps to ensure privacy and outlines specific exceptions for individuals entering these spaces for custodial, medical, or emergency purposes. Additionally, the bill allows for the establishment of single-occupancy facilities and the accommodation of individuals protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Furthermore, the bill provides individuals with a private cause of action for declaratory and injunctive relief if they encounter a person of the opposite sex in designated areas or are required to share sleeping quarters with someone of the opposite sex. Civil actions must be initiated within two years of the violation, and prevailing individuals may recover attorney fees and court costs. The Department of Corrections is tasked with promulgating rules to implement these provisions, and the act is set to take effect on November 1, 2025.