Texas House Bill 32 aims to limit public facility access based on biological sex.
HOUSTON — A new bill filed Monday aims to regulate access to certain public spaces and facilities in Texas based on biological sex.
Known as the Texas Women’s Privacy Act, House Bill 32 was filed by state Rep. Valoree Swanson (R-Spring) as lawmakers convene for a special session focused on public safety, flood recovery, and education reforms.
The proposal, now part of Gov. Greg Abbott’s 18-item special session agenda, focuses on designating multiple-occupancy private spaces, including restrooms, locker rooms, and showers, for use only by individuals of the same biological sex, as defined by original birth certificates.
What House Bill 32 would do
- Require state agencies and local governments to restrict access to restrooms, locker rooms, and similar spaces based on biological sex.
- Apply to public schools, government buildings, and correctional facilities.
- Limit access to women-only shelters to individuals whose biological sex is female.
- Authorize civil penalties for public entities that fail to comply.
- Allow private citizens to file civil actions against violators.
- Establish a fee-shifting provision making plaintiffs liable for opposing attorney fees if challenges to the law fail.
The bill also addresses housing in correctional facilities, requiring inmates to be housed according to their biological sex. Certain exceptions would apply, including for maintenance, emergency situations, or to assist individuals with disabilities.
Enforcement mechanisms in the bill include fines starting at $5,000 per violation and the option for the Texas Attorney General to pursue legal action against noncompliant entities.
The filing of House Bill 32 follows Abbott’s July 10 announcement outlining priorities for the 30-day special session. “Legislation protecting women’s privacy in sex-segregated spaces” was listed as part of the governor’s agenda, which was headlined by flood recovery funding for the Texas Hill Country, improvements to flood warning systems, and the potential elimination of the STAAR test.
The special session officially begins at noon on Monday, July 21.
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