Texas lawmakers file first LGBTQ-related bills of 2025 sessionLink to Full ArticleKXAN NBC News - Cora Neas
Posted: Nov 13, 2024 / 04:05 PM CST
Updated: Nov 13, 2024 / 04:05 PM CST
Bill filing for the Texas Legislature began Tuesday, and lawmakers have already filed proposals directed at gender and sexual orientation.
Senate Bill 150, filed by Menéndez and Senators Carol Alvarado, César Blanco, Molly Cook, Sarah Eckhardt and Roland Gutierrez, would amend state law to prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity/expression. It also would add provisions to block discrimination on the basis of military service.
That team, sans Alvarado, also filed SB 168. That bill would lead to disciplinary action for therapists and counselors who attempt to change a child's sexual orientation or gender identity.
SB 168 doesn't prevent mental health workers from intervening in or changing a minor's unlawful conduct or unsafe practices.
Menéndez also filed SB 189, which adds gender identity to the state's criminal procedure code. That would allow criminal court judges to make "an affirmative finding of fact" during judgement, if ruled that an offense occurred because of the victim's gender identity.
The 2023 versions of these three bills never left their initial committee assignments.
SB 84, from Hall, would define male and female in Texas law by development of reproductive organs.--------------------
Also on the list are:
SB 86, a bill for "parental rights in public education," would require schools to notify parents about their student's mental, emotional and physical health issues. But it muddles that goal by also including a ban on teaching LGBTQ-related topics at public and charter schools.
HB 344, filed by Rep. Carl Tepper, is a bill solely focused on banning LGBTQ-related topics in schools.
Hall's SB 115 seeks to ban some insurance plans from covering transition-related care...
SB 116 would allow minors who received transition-related care to sue their doctors.
Rep. Jeff Leach filed HB 778, which would require insurance providers who cover transition-related care to also cover treatment to reverse gender transition.
How are these not discriminating against LGBTQ+ people?
