Austin (WBAP/KLIF News) – The head of the Texas Senate Education Committee says he will not accept changes the House made to a bill requiring people in government buildings to use the bathroom of their physical gender.
The Senate’s measure would require anyone in a school or government building to use the bathroom of their physical gender. The bill was never addressed in the House, but a different item was attached as an amendment to another measure.
The measure passed by the House would only apply to schools and require schools to offer single-stall restrooms, such as in a teachers’ lounge or coach’s office. The House amendment would also let transgender students use a public restroom if no one else is present.
“Great, now we’ve made a choice we’re just going to pick on school children,” says Cece Cox, the chief executive of Resource Center of Dallas. “I don’t find that any less egregious than the former piece of legislation. In fact, I think it’s really sick.”
Larry Taylor (R-Friendswood) chairs the Senate Education Committee. He says the changes are not acceptable and wants to form a conference committee with the House to work out differences.
“In the meantime, we have children languishing in our Child Protective Services, we have a budget that needs to be passed, we have roads that are crumbling,” Cox says.
Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick has said the measure from the House has “ambiguous language.”
Texas’ legislative session is scheduled to end May 29.
