Latest news with #HB229
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Texas Senate Passes Bill Defining ‘Man' And ‘Woman' Based On Biology
On Thursday, the Texas Senate voted 20-11 to pass House Bill 229, known as the 'Women's Bill of Rights.' This bill, which defines 'man' and 'woman' based on biological reproductive systems for state records such as birth certificates and driver's licenses, now heads to Gov. Greg Abbott, who is expected to sign it into law. Authored by Rep. Ellen Troxclair (R-Lakeway) and carried in the Senate by Sen. Mayes Middleton (R-Galveston), the bill aligns with efforts by President Donald Trump to enforce a biological definition of sex, including an executive order targeting 'transgender' participation in women's sports. HB 229 requires state agencies to classify individuals as male or female based on whether their reproductive system is developed to produce ova or fertilize ova, respectively. An amendment clarifies that intersex individuals are not a third sex but must receive accommodations under state and federal law. Supporters argue the bill protects women's single-sex spaces, such as locker rooms and shelters, and clarifies legal definitions. 'With this bill, women and girls will know that Texas has their back and will not allow hard-fought rights to be eroded by activists who seek to erase them,' Troxclair said, The Texas Tribune reported. M. E. Castle, director of government relations for Texas Values, a Christian advocacy group, praised the vote: 'The message is clear: You don't mess with Texas women. HB 229 makes sure that the reality and truth of the two sexes is clear in Texas law and never altered by school districts, local cities, or bureaucrats ever again!' Opponents, including LGBTQ rights advocates, argue the bill marginalizes 'transgender' and intersex individuals. Sen. José Menéndez (D-San Antonio) called it a 'form of state-sponsored discrimination,' telling the Texas Tribune, 'If a law forces non-binary Texans, who are real people, into categories that don't reflect their lived experiences or identities … that would actually become discrimination in practice.' Sarah Corbin of the ACLU of Texas questioned its enforcement: 'The question of the hour is how will [HB] 229 be enforced and applied. What we do know is that it's incredibly disrespectful to so many Texans the Legislature represents, and completely disregards their identity.' The bill's legislative intent section, which does not alter statutes but guides interpretation, emphasizes 'immutable' biological differences, noting women's historical vulnerability to violence and the need for single-sex spaces. Critics, like Rep. Jessica González, D-Dallas, raised concerns about intersex individuals and women unable to conceive, arguing, 'We should not be boiling down a human's existence into one's ability to reproduce, because this is harmful, it is dangerous, and it is really just freaking insulting.' Troxclair countered that the bill applies to systems designed for reproduction, 'whether or not they are fully developed, whether or not they are capable of functioning.' With more than 120,000 Texans identifying as 'transgender,' advocates worry about practical impacts. Shelly Skeen of Lambda Legal said mismatched identification documents could force 'transgender' individuals to out themselves in everyday situations, such as voting or banking. Heather Clark, whose wife is 'transgender,' testified that carrying a driver's license misaligned with appearance would be 'untenable,' creating 'ample daily opportunities for discrimination' against her. Texas becomes the 14th state to pass such a law, following states like Kansas and Montana, where similar measures have faced legal challenges. Laura Lane-Steele, a University of South Carolina law professor, noted potential constitutional issues, including privacy and free speech violations, calling the law's application a 'big fat question mark.' Montana's law was struck down in February for violating privacy and equal protection rights, while Kansas' law faces ongoing ACLU challenges. The bill lacks civil or criminal penalties and focuses on record-keeping, but its broader implications remain unclear. Corbin said the ACLU of Texas is monitoring whether it will be narrowly applied to documents or used for wider policy changes. 'If it starts being used that way, they'll definitely hear from us,' she said. A 2022 survey found that 63% of Texas voters, including 87% of Republicans, support defining gender by birth certificate sex.
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Gender definition bill passes in Texas Senate, heads to governor
AUSTIN (KXAN) — Texas senators passed a bill to define 'male' and 'female' in Texas law during a Tuesday floor session that extended into the early morning Wednesday. House Bill 229 defines males as 'an individual whose biological reproductive system is developed to fertilize the ova of a female,' which it defines as an 'individual whosebiological reproductive system is developed to produce ova.' Previous: Senate committee holds late night public comments hearing on gender definition bill These definitions fall mostly in line with another bill that defines male and female, SB 1188. That bill requires Texas' medical providers to record a person's 'biological sex.' The only difference is for males, which SB 1188 defines as having a reproductive system 'developed to produce sperm.' HB 229 also sets certain findings into Texas law, placing men as 'on average, bigger, stronger, and faster than females.' It also 'finds' that 'females more physically vulnerable than males to specific forms of violence, including sexual violence.' Sen. Molly Cook, D-Houston, led a spirited opposition to the bill just before midnight. HB 229 sponsor Sen. Mayes Middleton, R-Galveston, and Cook engaged in over 20 minutes of debate on the Senate floor. A motion was made to record the debate between Middleton and Cook in the legislative journal. It passed without objection. The written record will likely become available following the 89th Legislative Session's close. At around 1 a.m. Wednesday, HB 229 was quickly passed along party lines in the Senate. It dodged the Senate's bill deadline by nearly 24 hours. The law goes into effect Sept. 1 unless Gov. Greg Abbott vetoes the bill. HB 229 mandates that state and local agencies use a binary view of sex when collecting information that identifies the sex of a person. 'A governmental entity that collects vital statistics information that identifies the sex of an individual for the purpose of complying with antidiscrimination laws or for the purpose of gathering public health, crime, economic, or other data shall identify each individual as either male or female,' the bill states. It is unclear how the agencies will make that determination beyond using already issued documents. Opponents of the bill testified before committees in the Texas House of Representatives and Senate that the bill will erase intersex Texans. Intersex people are born with reproductive systems that don't fit within these definitions. 'Each individual is one of two sexes, male or female, and individuals diagnosed with a disorder of sex development or as intersex are not considered to belong to a third sex and must receive accommodations in accordance with state and federal law,' the bill reads. The bill's supporters hold that the bill is a step toward further restrictions on transgender life in Texas. One such restriction is a private spaces ban, which would prevent people from using restrooms and locker rooms that match their gender identity. This session's SB 240 attempted such a ban, but died in the House State Affairs Committee. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Miami Herald
28-05-2025
- Politics
- Miami Herald
Texas Senate Passes Bill on Definition of Woman: ‘Reality and Truth'
The Texas Senate passed a bill requiring the state to adhere to a biological definition of men and women, a move campaigners welcomed as a win for "truth and reality" and one that protects single sex spaces. But advocates for LGBTQ rights said the bill is harmful to the lives of trans people, who will face greater marginalization and discrimination as a result. Called the "Women's Bill of Rights," Texas senators passed HB 229 by 20 votes to 11, sending the bill to Gov. Greg Abbott for his signature. "The message is clear: You don't mess with Texas women," said M. E. Castle, director of government relations for Texas Values, a Christian advocacy group, in a statement posted to X. "HB 229 makes sure that the reality and truth of the two sexes is clear in Texas law and never altered by school districts, local cities, or bureaucrats ever again! "With today's vote in the Senate, Texas will lay the foundation for protecting women's spaces and opportunities." This is a developing article and more information will be added soon. Related Articles Supreme Court's Free Speech v. Paxton Decision Could Protect Kids Online | OpinionPioneering Aerospace Medicine Program to Study Long-Term Effects of Space TravelTexas GOP Rep Accused of Breaking Commandment With Ten Commandments VoteTexas Expanding Legal Cannabis Access Before Wider Ban 2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.
Time of India
28-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Texas Senate passes bill to define the difference between man and woman based on reproductive organs. Check details
In a significant development, the Texas Senate has passed a bill requiring the state to strictly define man and woman based on reproductive organs on a 20-11 party line vote. The bill has already passed the House and will go now to the governor's desk, reports The NewsWeek. The move was welcomed by champaigners as a win for "truth and reality" and one that protects single sex spaces such as locker rooms. But advocates for LGBTQ rights said the bill is harmful to the lives of trans people, who will face greater marginalization and discrimination as a result. If this bill becomes law, more than 120,000 trans Texans would be forced to be defined in state records by the sex they were assigned at birth, rather than the gender they identify as, even if they've already legally changed their birth certificates and driver's licenses. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like If You Eat Ginger Everyday for 1 Month This is What Happens Tips and Tricks Undo ALSO READ: Elon Musk-Trump bromance over? Tesla CEO's first major public disagreement with President sparks buzz What does the bill say? According to Texas Tribune, House Bill 229 says "a woman is an individual whose biological reproductive system is developed to produce ova, while a man is someone whose reproductive system is developed to fertilize the ova". The bill would require that this definition be used across state statute, with potentially wide-ranging consequences for trans and intersex people who would see their gender identity reverted back to the sex they were assigned at birth in state records. Live Events The Texas Senate has passed HB 229, known as the "Women's Bill of Rights," with a vote of 20 to 11. The bill now heads to Republican Governor Greg Abbott for his signature. If signed into law, the legislation would require state documents—including birth certificates and driver's licenses—to record individuals' sex as assigned at birth, rather than their gender identity. "The message is clear: You don't mess with Texas women," said M. E. Castle, director of government relations for Texas Values, a Christian advocacy group, in a statement posted to X. "HB 229 makes sure that the reality and truth of the two sexes is clear in Texas law and never altered by school districts, local cities, or bureaucrats ever again! ALSO READ: Inside The Handmaid's Tale series finale: Elisabeth Moss reflects on show's ending, says 'I can't imagine...' "With today's vote in the Senate, Texas will lay the foundation for protecting women's spaces and opportunities." The bill was introduced by State Representative Ellen Troxclair and sponsored in the Senate by State Senator Mayes Middleton, both Republicans. It aligns closely with executive orders issued by former President Donald Trump on the same issue. Trump has advocated for reinstating a biological definition of sex , particularly emphasizing the exclusion of transgender women from women's and girls' sports to maintain what he describes as competitive fairness. State Senator José Menéndez, a Democrat, criticized the legislation as 'state-sponsored discrimination.' 'If a law forces non-binary Texans—real people—into categories that don't reflect their lived experiences or identities, that amounts to discrimination in practice,' Menéndez told the Texas Tribune. ALSO READ: Why Melania Trump's $40 million documentary deal with Amazon has sent Hollywood into a tizzy Trump threatens to hold federal fund California Trump had also threatened to withhold 'large scale' federal funding from California if it allowed a transgender student-athlete to compete in girls' state championships. 'THIS IS NOT FAIR, AND TOTALLY DEMEANING TO WOMEN AND GIRLS,' he wrote on Truth Social. California, under the leadership of Radical Left Democrat Gavin Newscum, continues to ILLEGALLY allow 'MEN TO PLAY IN WOMEN'S SPORTS.' This week a transitioned Male athlete, at a major event, won 'everything,' and is now qualified to compete in the 'State Finals' next weekend. As a Male, he was a less than average competitor. As a Female, this transitioned person is practically unbeatable. THIS IS NOT FAIR, AND TOTALLY DEMEANING TO WOMEN AND GIRLS. Please be hereby advised that large scale Federal Funding will be held back, maybe permanently, if the Executive Order on this subject matter is not adhered to. The Governor, himself, said it is 'UNFAIR.' I will speak to him today to find out which way he wants to go??? In the meantime I am ordering local authorities, if necessary, to not allow the transitioned person to compete in the State Finals. This is a totally ridiculous situation!!! ALSO READ: Thousands could lose SNAP benefits under 'big, beautiful bill' in state Trump won by 1% He further warned: 'Please be hereby advised that large scale Federal Funding will be held back, maybe permanently, if the Executive Order on this subject matter is not adhered to.' The executive order, referencing Title IX—the federal law prohibiting sex-based discrimination—requires all recipients of federal funds to bar transgender women and girls from participating in female sports categories.
Newsweek
28-05-2025
- Politics
- Newsweek
Texas Senate Passes Bill on Definition of Woman: 'Reality and Truth'
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The Texas Senate passed a bill requiring the state to adhere to a biological definition of men and women, a move campaigners welcomed as a win for "truth and reality" and one that protects single sex spaces. But advocates for LGBTQ rights said the bill is harmful to the lives of trans people, who will face greater marginalization and discrimination as a result. Called the "Women's Bill of Rights," Texas senators passed HB 229 by 20 votes to 11, sending the bill to Gov. Greg Abbott for his signature. "The message is clear: You don't mess with Texas women," said M. E. Castle, director of government relations for Texas Values, a Christian advocacy group, in a statement posted to X. "HB 229 makes sure that the reality and truth of the two sexes is clear in Texas law and never altered by school districts, local cities, or bureaucrats ever again! "With today's vote in the Senate, Texas will lay the foundation for protecting women's spaces and opportunities." This is a developing article and more information will be added soon.
