TexasPublic facilities would assign shared private spaces by sex
State agencies and local governments would assign shared private spaces by sex, with enforcement through state penalties and lawsuits after the Act takes effect.
What it does
State agencies and local governments would assign shared restrooms and similar private spaces by sex, while allowing single-person spaces and limited assistance exceptions.
Prisons would house inmates by sex, and certain shelters for female victims would serve females and their children age 17 or younger.
Violations could lead to state penalties and private lawsuits, but complainants must follow notice and correction steps; some unsuccessful court challenges could result in fee awards.
Argument forClearer space assignments may give people more predictable access rules in government buildings, schools, and other covered facilities.
Argument againstPeople who do not fit the assigned categories may face restricted access, while governments and challengers could face substantial penalties or legal fees.
More detail
Political subdivisions and state agencies must assign each shared private space they own, operate, or control for use by only one sex. Shared private spaces include restrooms, locker rooms, changing rooms, shower rooms, and similar facilities where more than one person may be undressed. Officials must take every reasonable step to keep a person from entering a space assigned to the other sex. They may create single-person spaces, family restrooms, or changing rooms. They may make policies to assist a person with a disability, a young child, or an older person who needs help. They may not provide an accommodation that lets a person use a shared space assigned exclusively to the other sex. These rules apply to causes of action that accrue on or after the Act's effective date. The Act takes effect on the 91st day after the last day of the legislative session.
The Texas Department of Criminal Justice must house inmates according to their sex, and certain female family violence shelters may provide services only to females and their qualifying children. The inmate rule covers correctional facilities, including dormitories and cellblocks. The shelter rule covers shelters designed specifically for female victims and children age 17 or younger who are children of a female receiving services. The Texas Board of Criminal Justice must adopt implementation rules that comply with state and federal law. A covered shelter may serve a child only when the child is 17 or younger and is the child of a female receiving shelter services. These rules apply to causes of action that accrue on or after the Act's effective date. The Act takes effect on the 91st day after the last day of the legislative session.
A resident may report a violation, the attorney general may seek civil penalties and court orders, and a person affected by a violation may sue for court orders and legal costs. The enforcement rules cover political subdivisions and state agencies that violate the chapter, plus people affected by those violations and people who seek court relief against sex-based access laws. A resident must first give written notice, and the government entity gets three business days to correct the violation before a complaint may be filed. The attorney general must investigate and generally give the entity 15 days to correct the violation before seeking a penalty, unless a court has already found a violation. Penalties are $25,000 for a first violation and $125,000 for a later violation, with each day of a continuing violation counted separately. A person affected by a violation may seek declaratory or injunctive relief and court costs, including reasonable attorney and witness fees. A person who seeks certain preventive relief and loses may have to pay the winning party's reasonable costs and attorney fees. The enforcement rules apply to causes of action that accrue on or after the Act's effective date. The Act takes effect on the 91st day after the last day of the legislative session.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2025
- Sep 22Effective on . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Latest
- Sep 22Signed by the Governor Greg AbbottBecame Law
- Sep 4Sent to the GovernorTo Governor
- Sep 3Signed in the HouseMajor
- Vote recorded concur in the House amendment to SB 8. Result: pass.Upper
- Sep 3Signed in the SenateMajor
- Sep 3Reported enrolledMinor
- Sep 3Senate concurs in House amendment(s)-reported
- Sep 3Record vote
- Sep 3Senate concurs in House amendment(s)
- Sep 3Read
- Sep 3House amendment(s) laid before the SenateMinor
- Sep 2House passage as amended reportedMajor
- Aug 28Reason for vote recorded in Journal
- Vote recorded passage. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded table Amendment No. 2. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded adoption of amendment. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded table Amendment No. 12. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded passage. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded table Amendment No. 11. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded table Amendment No. 13. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded table Amendment No. 7. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded table Amendment No. 8. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded passage. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded passage. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded other. Result: fail.Lower
- Aug 28Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
- Aug 28Record vote
- Aug 28PassedPassed House
- Aug 28Read 3rd timeMinor
- Aug 28Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
- Aug 28Record vote
- Aug 28Passed to 3rd reading as amendedMajor
- Aug 28Record vote
- Aug 28AmendedMajor
- Aug 28Point of order withdrawnMajor
- Aug 28Point of order withdrawnMajor
- Aug 28Record vote
- Aug 28Amendment tabledMinor
- Aug 28Record vote
- Aug 28Amendment tabledMinor
- Aug 28Point of order withdrawn (amendment)Major
- Aug 28Amendment(s) offeredMinor
- Aug 28Record vote
- Aug 28Amendment tabledMinor
- Aug 28Record vote
- Aug 28Amendment tabledMinor
- Aug 28Amendment withdrawnMajor
- Aug 28Point of order withdrawn (amendment)Major
- Aug 28Amendment(s) offeredMinor
- Aug 28Record vote
- Aug 28Amendment tabledMinor
- Aug 28Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
- Aug 28Record vote
- Aug 28Amendment tabledMinor
- Aug 28Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
- Aug 28Record vote
- Aug 28Amendment tabledMinor
- Aug 28Record vote
- Aug 28Amendment tabledMinor
- Aug 28Record vote
- Aug 28Amendment tabledMinor
- Aug 28Amendment withdrawnMajor
- Aug 28Point of order withdrawn (amendment)Major
- Aug 28Amendment(s) offeredMinor
- Aug 28Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
- Aug 28Record vote
- Aug 28Amendment tabledMinor
- Aug 28Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
- Aug 28Record vote
- Aug 28Amendment tabledMinor
- Aug 28Read 2nd timeMinor
- Aug 28Additional sponsor(s) authorized
- Aug 28Rules suspended
- Aug 28Placed on General State Calendar
- Aug 27Considered in Calendars
- Aug 27Committee report sent to Calendars
- Aug 26Committee report distributed
- Aug 26Comte report filed with Committee CoordinatorMinor
- Aug 25Reported favorably w/o amendment(s)Minor
- Aug 25Amendment(s) considered in committee
- Aug 25Considered in formal meeting
- Aug 22Left pending in committee
- Aug 22Testimony taken/registration(s) recorded in committee
- Aug 22Considered in public hearing
- Aug 20Referred to State AffairsMinor
- Aug 20Read first timeMinor
- Aug 20Received from the SenateMinor
- Aug 19Reported engrossed
- Aug 19Reason for vote recorded in Journal
- Aug 19Record vote
- Aug 19PassedPassed Senate
- Aug 19Read 3rd timeMinor
- Aug 19Laid before the SenateMinor
- Aug 18Record vote
- Aug 18Read 2nd time & passed to engrossmentMinor
- Aug 18Record vote
- Aug 18Rules suspended-Regular order of business
- Aug 18Co-author authorized
- Aug 15Committee report printed and distributed
- Aug 15Reported favorably w/o amendmentsMinor
- Aug 15Vote taken in committee
- Aug 15Testimony taken in committee
- Aug 15Considered in public hearing
- Aug 15Scheduled for public hearing on . . .
- Aug 15Record vote
- Aug 15Posting rule suspended
- Aug 15Referred to State AffairsMinor
- Aug 15Read first timeMinor
- Aug 15FiledMinor
- Aug 15Received by the Secretary of the SenateIntroduced
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