Facility Usage & Privacy Compliance

The law defines “female” as a person who has, will have, or previously had a reproductive system that produces eggs for fertilization. It also Includes a person who “would have had” such a system but for a birth defect.

The law defines “male” as a person who has, will have, or previously had a reproductive system that produces sperm for fertilization. It also includes a person who “would have had” such a system but for a birth defect.

The law applies to every multi-occupancy “private space” in each building that the college “owns, operates or controls,” including leased spaces.

A “multiple-occupancy private space” means a facility designed for simultaneous use by more than one individual and in which individuals “may be in a state of undress in the presence of another individual.” The term expressly includes a restroom, locker room, changing room or shower room. A multi-occupancy private space is covered by the law regardless of whether curtains or partial walls are available to provide privacy.

Yes. Senate Bill 8 allows a public college to maintain single occupancy restrooms, also known as unisex or universal restrooms or family restrooms. These restrooms may be used by any person without regard to sex. These restrooms also may be used by individuals who need the assistance of another person while using the facility. These restrooms have a lock.

Click here to find a list of all single-occupancy restrooms is available.

A child who is 9 years old and under may enter an opposite-sex facility when accompanied by their parent or caregiver. A child who is 10 years old and older must use the restroom that corresponds to the child’s biological sex or a unisex/family restroom.

HCC maintains numerous single-occupancy restrooms throughout the district. A list of these restrooms may be obtained from any Campus Operations Officer or Campus Manager (see Question 4).

Yes, the law provides several exceptions. The law allows a person to enter a single-sex facility for the following reasons:

• for a custodial, maintenance, or inspection purpose
• to render medical or other emergency assistance
• to accompany an individual who needs assistance in using the facility
• for a law enforcement purpose
• to render assistance necessary to prevent a serious threat to proper order or safety.

In addition to the above exceptions, a child who is 9 years old and under may enter an opposite-sex facility when accompanied by their parent or caregiver. A child who is 10 years old and older must use the restroom that corresponds to the child’s biological sex or may use a unisex/family restroom.

Senate Bill 8 allows an institution to adopt a policy necessary to accommodate an individual with a disability, a young child, or an elderly individual who requires assistance when using a multiple-occupancy private space. Senate Bill 8 prohibits granting an accommodation to a person who seeks to use a multi-occupancy private space that is opposite to the individual’s biological sex. 

Employees with questions about accommodations should contact hcc.ada@hccs.edu. Students with questions about accommodations should contact Ability Services at hcc.cares@hccs.edu.

An individual with concerns about privacy, safety, or violations of the law may contact the Campus Operations Officer or Campus Manager on the relevant campus.  If someone believes they are in danger, they should contact Houston City College Police at 713-718-8888 or they may dial 911. Questions and concerns also may be directed to general.counsel@hccs.edu.

For the safety of all restroom users, the College discourages confrontations inside a restroom. In addition, to ensure safety and privacy in restrooms, locker rooms, and other private spaces where people may be in a state of undress, restrooms users may not use cameras, cell phones, or other recording devices to record other people inside these locations. 

Any individual who is not comfortable using a multi-occupancy facility may use any single-occupancy restroom.

HCC is committed to providing safe and comfortable facilities for all students, faculty, staff, and visitors. A person who believes that they are being subjected to harassment or discrimination on the basis of sex should contact the Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX at 713.718.8271 or hcc.oeotix@hccs.edu.

People who believe they are in danger should contact Houston City College Police at 713-718-8888 or dial 911.

All employees are responsible for helping to maintain a welcoming and comfortable environment for all members of our community. If an employee receives a report or learns of or suspects a violation of law or college policies, the employee should promptly notify a Campus Operations Officer or Campus Manager.

No employee may ask or direct any person to remove clothing or to reveal a portion of their body that is covered by clothing.  Bodily inspections are prohibited.