A Texas Democrat has filed legislation to create a state task force to study the “legal and societal barriers facing transgender individuals.”
The proposed Transgender Equality Task Force in House Bill 805 by State Rep. Ron Reynolds (D–Missouri City) would consist of 15 members appointed by the governor, lieutenant governor, and speaker of the Texas House.
The governor would appoint most of the members, including representatives from the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, Department of State Health Services, Texas Education Agency, and several other state agencies.
The task force would examine state policies involving health care, long-term care, public and higher education, housing, and employment.
Its review of the criminal justice system would include exploring additional “transgender awareness training” for law enforcement and examining the placement of transgender individuals in correctional facilities based on gender identity.
The task force would also study access to health care providers trained in transgender medical issues and efforts to prevent and reduce homelessness among transgender individuals.
State agencies would be required to cooperate with the task force, while the Texas Workforce Commission’s civil rights division would provide administrative support.
The legislation comes after another Texas Democrat, State Rep. Donna Howard (Austin), filed House Bill 126, which would repeal existing restrictions on certain transgender-related medical procedures for minors.
Among other changes, Howard’s proposal would remove the state’s prohibition on gender mutilation procedures for minors.
