Bill Text: TX HB851 | 2023-2024 | 88th Legislature | Introduced

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Bill Title: Relating to the creation of a task force to study the legal and societal barriers to equality for transgender persons.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2023-03-01 - Referred to State Affairs [HB851 Detail]

Download: Texas-2023-HB851-Introduced.html

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88R3750 LRM-D
By: Reynolds H.B. No. 851

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the creation of a task force to study the legal and
societal barriers to equality for transgender persons.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. (a) In this section, "task force" means the
transgender equality task force established by this Act.
(b) The task force is established to study the legal and
societal barriers to equality for transgender persons in this
state.
(c) The task force is composed of:
(1) 11 members appointed by the governor as follows:
(A) one representative of the Texas Department of
Banking;
(B) one representative of the Texas Department of
Criminal Justice;
(C) one representative of the Department of
Family and Protective Services;
(D) one representative of the Texas Department of
Insurance;
(E) one representative of the Department of State
Health Services;
(F) one representative of the Texas Education
Agency;
(G) one representative of the Health and Human
Services Commission;
(H) one representative of an institution of
higher education;
(I) one representative of the Texas Workforce
Commission civil rights division;
(J) one representative of the Texas Workforce
Commission division of workforce development; and
(K) one representative of a nonprofit
organization dedicated to civil rights;
(2) two members appointed by the lieutenant governor
as follows:
(A) a parent or guardian of a transgender person;
and
(B) an attorney who specializes in transgender
rights; and
(3) two members appointed by the speaker of the house
of representatives as follows:
(A) a physician who specializes in transgender
health issues; and
(B) one transgender person.
(d) The task force shall hold its first meeting not later
than October 1, 2023, and shall elect a presiding officer from among
its membership. The task force shall hold subsequent meetings at
least quarterly at the call of the presiding officer.
(e) A task force member is not entitled to compensation for
service on the task force but is entitled to reimbursement, as
provided by the General Appropriations Act, for actual and
necessary expenses incurred in performing task force duties. The
task force may accept gifts, grants, and donations to pay for those
expenses.
(f) The Texas Workforce Commission civil rights division
shall provide administrative support services at the request of the
task force.
(g) The task force shall study the state actions necessary
to ensure equality and improve the lives of transgender persons,
with particular attention to the following areas:
(1) health care, including access to health care
providers who are trained in transgender medical issues;
(2) long-term care for transgender persons who are
chronically ill or of advanced age;
(3) education;
(4) higher education;
(5) housing, including homelessness prevention and
reduction;
(6) employment; and
(7) criminal justice, including the following:
(A) raising transgender awareness among law
enforcement through training; and
(B) facilitating the appropriate placement of
transgender persons in correctional facilities based on a person's
gender identity.
(h) A state agency shall cooperate with and assist the task
force in carrying out the duties of the task force.
(i) Not later than December 1, 2024, the task force shall
prepare and submit to the governor and the legislature a written
report that summarizes the task force's findings under this section
and recommends solutions for advancing transgender equality and
improving the lives of transgender persons in this state.
(j) The task force is abolished and this Act expires
September 1, 2025.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.