Overview

• SB 7, known as the Texas Women’s Privacy Act, would require multi-occupancy restrooms, locker rooms and similar facilities in state agencies, public schools, prisons and family violence shelters to be labeled and used according to ‘‘biological sex,’’ defined by anatomy, chromosomes and birth certificate.
• The legislation imposes civil penalties of $5,000 for a first violation and $25,000 for subsequent breaches and allows residents to file complaints with the attorney general or bring private lawsuits.
• A committee substitute grants the 15th Court of Appeals exclusive jurisdiction over related civil suits and incorporates its own statutory definitions of ‘‘male’’ and ‘‘female.’’
• Sen. Mayes Middleton and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick have pushed the bill during Gov. Greg Abbott’s special session, reviving measures that stalled in the regular session.
• Opponents warn that stringent enforcement could prompt invasive monitoring of transgender Texans and have delayed the bill’s advance by denying quorum in the House.