Relating to prohibiting social transitioning assistance to minors by employees of governmental entities, including public schools, and health care facilities; authorizing civil penalties and loss of school funding.
Impact
If enacted, HB3616 would necessitate significant changes to existing policies in both educational and healthcare settings. Schools would be required to implement policies that enforce this prohibition and mandate that any school employee who becomes aware of a student undergoing social transitioning must inform their parents or guardians. Failure to adhere to these policies could result in civil penalties against employees and possible loss of funding for school districts found in violation of the law.
Summary
House Bill 3616 seeks to prohibit employees of governmental entities, including public schools and healthcare facilities, from assisting minors in social transitioning. Under this bill, 'social transitioning' is defined as a minor's transition from their assigned gender at birth to an alternative gender identity through various expressions, like name and pronoun changes. The bill aims to establish strict regulations that prevent state employees from facilitating discussions or providing any materials related to social transitioning without parental involvement.
Contention
Supporters of HB3616 argue that the legislation is vital for protecting minors from making potentially life-altering decisions about their gender identity at young ages. Critics, however, view the bill as an infringement on the rights of minors to receive support and guidance regarding their gender identity. They assert that the bill could lead to harm by discouraging open dialogues about identity and could force minors to navigate their concerns without necessary support from educators and health professionals.
Relating to a policy prohibiting public school employees from assisting a student with social transitioning and to the loss of state funding for a violation by a public school.
Relating to parental rights in public education and prohibiting instruction regarding sexual orientation or gender identity for public school students; authorizing a civil remedy.
Relating to prohibitions on the provision to certain children of procedures and treatments for gender transitioning, gender reassignment, or gender dysphoria and on the use of public money or public assistance to provide those procedures and treatments.
Relating to prohibitions on the provision to certain children of procedures and treatments for gender transitioning, gender reassignment, or gender dysphoria and on the use of public money or public assistance to provide those procedures and treatments.
Relating to prohibitions on the provision to certain children of procedures and treatments for gender transitioning, gender reassignment, or gender dysphoria and on the use of public money or public assistance to provide those procedures and treatments.
Relating to health benefit plan coverage for and prohibitions on gender transitioning procedures and treatments provided to certain individuals; creating a criminal offense.
Relating to the rights and certification of public school educators, including financial and other assistance and waivers provided to public schools by the Texas Education Agency related to public school educators, methods of instruction provided in public schools, and certain allotments under the Foundation School Program.
Relating to regulations and policies for entering or using a bathroom or changing facility in a public school; authorizing a civil penalty, authorizing a private civil right of action.