RALEIGH, N.C. — Lawmakers have filed a bipartisan bill aimed at breaking an impasse over North Carolina's "bathroom bill," but it's likely to face tough going in the Republican-controlled legislature.
Two Republicans and two Democrats filed a House bill late Wednesday to repeal the law known as House Bill 2, but there are add-ons.
HB2 requires transgender people to use restrooms in public buildings that correspond to the sex on their birth certificates and blocks expansion of LGBT rights in local ordinances and state law. HB2 prompted some businesses and sporting events to spurn North Carolina.
The proposal would let state legislators continue making the policy decisions over multi-stall bathrooms. Cities could expand other anti-discrimination protections, but a referendum would be required if enough local citizens ask for one.
At a press conference Wednesday, Republican Rep. Chuck McGrady called House Bill 186 the bipartisan path forward.
"We are getting out of the bathroom business," he said.
In a phone interview, Democratic state Sen. Joel Ford told Channel 9 he believes the bill is a good start, but he isn't convinced it’s the answer.
"What I would encourage the House to do is look at repeal with some type of referendum that would empower the people of the state to make decisions like this, on their own," Ford said.
Many Charlotte residents said they're hopeful there will be a resolution soon.
"A solution would be good for the city for the people to get North Carolina back on the track we're headed," Emanuel Hawthorne said.
But some argue HB 186 still strips cities of the power support everyone equally.
"Don't just give us half, give us the full right," Brittany Cochran said.
Read more on how this could affect schools here.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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