FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 17, 2026

CONTACT: Jason Scalese (916) 651-4614

Senator Marie Alvarado-Gil co-authors AB 1998 by Assemblywoman Leticia Castillo to Protect Privacy in Intimate Spaces
Legislation Clarifies Unruh Civil Rights Act to Ensure Sex-Based Separation in Bathrooms, Locker Rooms, and Changing Areas While Preserving Equal Access

Senator Alvarado-Gil speaks at a press conference in support of AB 1998 with Assemblywoman Leticia Castillo and Assemblyman Carl DeMaio

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Today, Senator Marie Alvarado-Gil (R–Jackson) representing California’s rural communities, joined Assemblywoman Leticia Castillo (R–Corona) to introduce Assembly Bill 1998, a bipartisan effort to bring clarity and common-sense protections to intimate spaces in California’s business establishments.

AB 1998 amends Section 51 of the Civil Code, the Unruh Civil Rights Act, to define “sex” as an individual’s immutable biological sex (male or female) and requires that intimate spaces, including bathrooms, locker rooms, showers, changing rooms, and dressing areas, be separated on that basis. Single-occupancy restrooms may remain gender neutral, and the bill imposes no new construction or structural requirements beyond existing law.

“California has always been a leader in protecting civil rights, and that includes the right to privacy and safety in vulnerable settings,” said Senator Alvarado-Gil. “I’ve heard from mothers, farmworker families, and small-town business owners who simply want their daughters, sisters, and grandmothers to feel secure when using public facilities. This bill respects our diverse communities while restoring clear expectations rooted in common sense and basic human dignity.”

Without clear statutory guidance, businesses face uncertainty and families feel vulnerable.

“AB 1998 achieves an appropriate equilibrium: it preserves the Unruh Act’s commitment to equal access for every Californian, while also protecting the legitimate expectation of bodily privacy in private, intimate environments. In rural areas like our districts, where community centers, schools, and modest gyms act as central hubs for entire neighborhoods, this kind of clear guidance is particularly vital for families who prioritize trust and security.”

The legislation is sponsored by Erin Friday, Esq., President of Our Duty, a nonprofit organization advocating for child safeguarding and parental rights. AB 1998 does not alter nondiscrimination protections in other contexts and maintains California’s commitment to inclusivity. It simply provides businesses with straightforward rules to protect privacy without added cost or complexity.