Doesn't it repeal the law and preempt future local laws on the topic?
Not even close.
It technically repeals HB2, in that it says it repeals HB2 specifically, but then reimplements most of HB2 in the form of restrictions saying cities and other institutions aren't allowed to do anything.
Under HB2
- You have to go to the bathroom matching the gender that's on your birth certificate
- No state level anti-discrimination protection for LGBT persons
- Cities cannot create protections stronger than what the state provides
Under this repealed HB2
- Cities cannot grant bathroom access (hello HB2 bullet one)
- No new state level anti-discrimination protection (hello HB2 bullet two)
- Cities cannot create protections stronger than what the state provides until the end of 2020 (hello HB2 bullet three)
This repeal is just HB2 by a different name.