Transgender Bathroom Bill Added To Texas Flood-relief Special Session

Texas lawmakers will convene adjacent week for a typical convention to see authorities addressing nan deadly floods that devastated parts of nan authorities earlier this period — and a measure regarding which restrooms transgender Texans tin use.

When Gov. Greg Abbott initially called for a typical convention successful June, it was to tackle six bills he had vetoed during nan regular session, among them a contentious measurement that would have banned hemp products containing THC. But aft flash floods overwhelmed parts of cardinal Texas connected July 4 — resulting successful astatine slightest 120 deaths pinch galore much still missing — nan intended attraction shifted to flood relief.

However, erstwhile nan governor’s 18-point agenda was released past week, it included acold much than flood-related measures. In summation to considering bills that would restrict hemp products, Abbott has besides asked lawmakers to see authorities “further protecting unborn children and their mothers from nan harm of abortion” and authorities “protecting women’s privateness successful sex-segregated spaces.”

On Monday, nan first time lawmakers were capable to record bills for nan typical session, nary of nan 82 measures revenge mentioned nan deadly July 4 floods, according to KXAN-TV, NBC’s Austin affiliate.

Republican authorities Rep. Valoree Swanson introduced nan alleged bath bill, which would require transgender group to usage bathrooms that correspond to their commencement activity successful nationalist schools, authorities buildings and correctional facilities. If House Bill 32, known arsenic nan Texas Women’s Privacy Act, becomes law, nationalist entities that break nan measurement could look financial penalties and beryllium taxable to civilian lawsuits.

Currently, 19 states crossed nan country restrict which bathrooms and different sex-segregated accommodation transgender group tin use, according to Movement Advancement Project, an LGBTQ deliberation tank.

Texas’ 89th legislative session, which ended June 2, resulted successful nan connection of 88 anti-LGBTQ bills, 4 of which were passed into law, according to nan American Civil Liberties Union. These caller laws see a measurement that bans diversity, equity and inclusion successful nationalist schools and 1 that strictly defines man and female based connected their reproductive organs.