Texas lawmakers have already filed some bills ahead of the 2025 legislative session. One of those bills — H.B. 239 — is worth highlighting, and perhaps proposing, in Iowa.
Republican Rep. Valoree Swanson filed the bill, which requires biological sex to be determined by a person’s sex organs, chromosomes and endogenous profiles as well as the original birth certificate, if the biological sex is correctly stated on the birth certificate. The only modified birth certificates accepted will be those to correct a scrivener or clerical error in the biological sex.
Those details will determine which bathroom individuals have to use in government-operated facilities.
If the law is violated by a political subdivision or state agency, the penalty for the first violation is $5,000. Second and subsequent violations will result in a penalty of $25,000.
Citizens may file complaints with the Texas Attorney General.
A companion bill was filed in the Texas Senate as well by Sen. Mayes Middleton.
