OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — An overflowing Senate hearing room heard heartfelt testimony over a bill that would eliminate Washington's new rule allowing transgender people to use gender-segregated bathrooms and locker rooms in public buildings consistent with their gender identity.

Many argued against the policy created by the state's Human Rights Commission which took effect on Dec. 26, testifying Wednesday that people might abuse the rule to sexually assault women. The bill to reverse the rule, Senate Bill 6443, is sponsored by a group of Republicans. Others testified that eliminating the commission's policy would enable discrimination against transgender people.

Sharon Ortiz, the commission's director, previously said the shift was only a clarification of the state's existing anti-discrimination law. She said transgender rights are already protected under an addition to the 2006 Washington Law Against Discrimination.

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