Principle Criteria
Free Enterprise
Property Rights
Personal Responsibility
Limited Government
Individual Liberty
Digest
HB 2258, also known as the Vulnerable Youth Protection Act, establishes private civil liability against any person who causes or contributes to the social transitioning of a minor. The bill defines "social transitioning" as any act by which a child adopts a gender identity different from their biological sex, including changes in clothing, pronouns, hairstyle, or name. It also includes liability for individuals involved in the castration, sterilization, or mutilation of a minor through medical or surgical procedures related to gender transition. Under the bill, anyone found liable can be sued for nominal damages, compensatory damages, and statutory damages of no less than $10,000 per defendant. If irreversible sterilization or sexual dysfunction results, defendants face punitive damages of at least $10 million. The law allows individuals to sue up to 20 years after the alleged injury occurs and explicitly prohibits certain legal defenses, including consent of the minor, comparative negligence, sovereign immunity, and qualified immunity. Additionally, the bill applies extraterritorially, meaning Texas courts would have jurisdiction over actions committed outside Texas if they involve Texas residents. It also bars state or local government agencies from directly enforcing the law, meaning enforcement is solely through private civil actions.
Co-Author (26)
Trent Ashby
Ben Bumgarner
Briscoe Cain
Jay Dean
Mark Dorazio
Cody Harris
Richard Hayes
Hillary Hickland
Janis Holt
Andy Hopper
Helen Kerwin
Terri Leo-Wilson
Mitch Little
David Lowe
Shelley Luther
Brent Money
Matt Morgan
Mike Olcott
Katrina Pierson
Keresa Richardson
Nate Schatzline
Joanne Shofner
David Spiller
Tony Tinderholt
Ellen Troxclair
Wesley Virdell
Contact the Author
Rep. Steve Toth
Capitol Phone:
(512) 463-0797
Capitol Office:
EXT E1.404
E-Mail:
