EXPLAINER: Texas lawmakers file record number of bills deemed anti-LGBTQ+

AUSTIN, Texas – Of the thousands of bills filed in the 89th Texas Legislature, more than 200 bills have caught the eyes of civil rights organizations.

Of those, six passed both the Texas House and Senate. Two have already been signed by Governor Greg Abbott; the remaining four are expected to be signed in the coming days.

Once signed, they will all take effect on September 1st, 2025.

Here’s a closer look at the signed House and Senate bills, explained, and what critics and supporters are saying:

Electronic health record requirements

Also known as Senate Bill 1257 (HB 1257), this bill establishes requirements for electronic health records, including the documentation of an individual’s biological sex, and mandates that health records be maintained in the U.S. It also includes provisions for penalties for non-compliance.

What Supporters Say:

“This law is simply for those individuals who have come to regret their sex change procedure and now want to return to their true biological selves,” Mary Elizabeth Castle, Director of Government Relations for Texas Values, said. “Unfortunately, many who want to reverse sex change operations are abandoned by the insurance companies who paid for the original procedure and are left with exorbitant medical bills to undo the procedures. SB 1257 gives them hope.”

What Critics Say:

“Destabilizes transgender healthcare access in Texas by incentivizing insurers to abandon coverage,” Equality Texas said.

Civil Penalties for electronic health record requirements

This bill, otherwise known as SB 1188, establishes requirements for electronic health records, including the documentation of an individual’s biological sex, and mandates that health records be maintained in the U.S. It also includes provisions for penalties for non-compliance.

What Critics Say:

“SB 1188 Threatens the health, privacy, and dignity of transgender, nonbinary, and intersex Texans by mandating a binary definition of ‘biological sex’ on medical records,” Equality Texas said.

Discussions about gender identity/sexual orientation in schools

This bill, also known as SB 12, defines parental rights in public education and prohibits schools from engaging in diversity, equity, and inclusion duties. It also restricts discussions around gender identity and sexual orientation in schools.

What Supporters Say:

“Senate Bill 12 is groundbreaking legislation that ensures parental rights in the state of Texas and brings the focus in the classroom back to education,” Castle said. “Many schools have crossed the lines when discussing LGBT topics in the classroom, which are sexual at their core and should be discussed between a parent and child based on that family’s beliefs. Many parents are not aware that these topics are being discussed at such high frequency and without their knowledge. S.B. 12 enforces parental rights and protects students.”

What Critics Say:

“Erasing and censoring LGBTQIA+ topics in schools, with immediate and long-term harms to mental health and safety,” Equality Texas said.

Defining and collecting government information regarding biological sex

Also known as House Bill 229, this bill, which was authored by Texas Representative Ellen Troxclair and sponsored by Senator Mayes Middleton, defines terms like male and female based on biological sex and requires governmental entities to identify individuals as either male or female. It aims to clarify definitions related to sex by two genders with no third category in state law.

What Supporters Say:

What Critics Say:

“H.B. 229 is a cruel and targeted attempt to erase trans, nonbinary, and intersex Texans from public life,” ACLU of Texas said. “It threatens to further strip away legal protections that shield us from discrimination. Instead of trying to erase trans and intersex people, state officials should focus on addressing real issues like funding our public schools and increasing access to health care for all Texans.”

“The writing of the bill leaves much to interpretation over the next coming months before it goes into effect on September 1,” Transgender Education Network of Texas said. “229 pushes the daily lives of trans Texans and their loved ones outside of the public sphere.”

Refusing to affirm child’s gender identity NOT be constituted as abuse, neglect

Also known as HB 1106, this bill clarifies that refusing to affirm a child’s gender identity or sexual orientation does not constitute child abuse or neglect. It aims to protect parental rights regarding the affirmation of a child’s identity.

What Critics Say:

“Endangers LGBTQIA+ youth by legitimizing familial rejection and limiting state protections,” Equality Texas said.

Providing health care services to rural counties

This bill, HB 18, focuses on improving healthcare access in rural areas of Texas by establishing programs and services aimed at providing necessary healthcare services.

What Critics Say:

“Indirectly strains hospital resources and limits the scope of mental health services available to rural trans children,” Equality Texas said.