Kavanagh is now backing off on the idea of criminal penalties for men who enter the ladies' room and women who enter the men's room, according to political reporter Dennis Welch:

Facing mounting public criticism, Rep. John Kavanagh said he no longer wants to make it a crime for transgendered people to use the bathroom of the opposite sex.

Now, the Republican says he pushing a law that protects businesses from criminal prosecution and lawsuits if they deny transgendered people from entering the restroom in which they identify with.

This marks a big change from last week when Kavanagh introduced a bill that would have made it a Class 1 misdemeanor for a transgendered person to enter a public restroom that's designated for the opposite sex.

"I have scrapped that idea; I was criticized because it involved criminalization and more laws and you know what, it's right," Kavanagh said Sunday on 3TV's weekly talk show