Oklahoma House adopted a chamber rule restricting a women's restroom to people 'born as a biological female'

On January 7, 2025, the opening day of the 2025-26 legislative session, the Oklahoma House of Representatives adopted its chamber rules (House Resolution 1002), which included a provision limiting a women's restroom near the House floor to "a person born as a biological female." The provision was sponsored by Rep. Molly Jenkins, R-Coyle, who described it as a precautionary measure "in case a transgender individual tries to use the women's restroom." The rule followed the U.S. House's decision, weeks earlier, to bar transgender women from certain restrooms at the U.S. Capitol after the election of Congress's first openly transgender member.

Under the rule, a member found in violation may face censure, a disciplinary sanction that can include the loss of voting rights on legislation. During debate, Democratic members questioned the rule's necessity and its asymmetrical application: Rep. Melissa Provenzano of Tulsa challenged the need for it, Rep. Annie Menz of Norman offered a rejected amendment that would also have barred members convicted of rape, and Rep. Andy Fugate of Oklahoma City raised concerns about members accompanying children of another gender. Jenkins acknowledged that requiring birth certificates to enforce the rule "seems extreme."