Daugaard: Debating a bathroom bill shouldn't be a priority

PIERRE, S.D. (AP) - Gov. Dennis Daugaard says that debate over restricting the bathrooms that transgender students can use at school shouldn’t be a priority during the 2017 legislative session.

Daugaard tells (https://argusne.ws/2jwv3Wf ) the Argus Leader that he views the debate at the Capitol as unnecessary because school districts are handling issues on a case-by-case basis.

The Republican governor vetoed a bill in 2016 that would have required transgender students to use bathrooms and locker rooms matching their gender at birth.

Daugaard tells the newspaper that it’s a solution in search of a problem.

Dale Bartscher of conservative group Family Heritage Alliance Action says that such a measure remains a “high priority.” Bartscher says the organization hopes Daugaard will recognize the merits of a revised bill and sign it.

The 2017 session starts Tuesday.

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Information from: Argus Leader, https://www.argusleader.com