Texas House Bill HB2342

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

• Filed: 2/3/25

Caption

Relating to protection for a public school employee's use of terms consistent with biological sex.

Impact

If enacted, HB2342 will amend the Education Code by adding Section 22.905, directly changing the landscape of workplace protections for educators in public schools. The bill's implementation is designed to create a more secure environment for teachers, enabling them to communicate freely without the threat of disciplinary measures for the language they choose to use. Supporters argue that this will foster a more respectful and consistent atmosphere within schools, aligning with certain ideological perspectives on gender.

Summary

House Bill 2342 aims to protect public school employees in Texas by preventing disciplinary action against them for using terms that align with the biological sex of students or other employees. Specifically, the bill prohibits school districts and charter schools from terminating, disciplining, or otherwise retaliating against staff for their references to individuals based on their biological sex. This legislative change seeks to strengthen the rights of educators and ensure that they can maintain their views without fear of repercussions from school administrations.

Contention

However, the bill has elicited notable points of contention among legislative members and various advocacy groups. Critics of HB2342 fear that enforcing such protections could have adverse effects on how schools address issues of gender identity and inclusivity. They argue that this could lead to scenarios where students feel misunderstood or discriminated against, as the bill foregrounds biological sex over gender identity, potentially undermining efforts to create inclusive educational environments for all students. The discussions surrounding this bill demonstrate a broader societal dialogue on issues of identity and rights within the education system.

Texas Constitutional Statutes Affected

Education Code

• Chapter 22. School District Employees And Volunteers
  • Section: New Section