HOUSTON, Texas– The Texas House of Representatives voted to pass House Bill 229, which defines gender based on reproductive organs at birth, excluding transgender individuals from state records.
The House approved the bill with an 86-36 vote.
The legislation requires all state documents and policies to follow the binary gender definition.
The bill affects over 120,000 transgender Texans, requiring identification with the sex assigned at birth.
The bill’s sponsor, Rep. Ellen Troxclair, stated that the bill aims to protect women’s rights.
The Texas Senate also passed Senate Bill 1257, requiring health insurers to cover costs associated with detransitioning for those who have undergone gender-affirming care.
Transgender individuals and their allies have protested against these legislative actions.