Johnson County clarifies bathroom policy for transgender visitors

The Johnson County Board of Supervisors on Thursday unanimously approved a resolution that clarifies its policy on access to public restrooms for transgender people.

The action was required under a settlement reached this month between the county and Jodie J. Jones, a transgender woman from Iowa City who filed a complaint with the Iowa Civil Rights Commission after a Johnson County sheriff's deputy made her leave a women's bathroom in the county courthouse in November 2011.

The commission determined there was probable cause to believe the deputy violated an Iowa law that prohibits denying someone public accommodations based on gender identity. Johnson County's human rights ordinance offers similar protections.

As part of the settlement, Jones, 56, agreed not to sue the county.

The county resolution says public restrooms in county buildings are open to people based on their gender identity regardless of the person's gender at birth.