Principle Criteria
Free Enterprise
Property Rights
Personal Responsibility
Limited Government
Individual Liberty
Digest
HB 437, titled the Juvenile Girls Protection Act, amends Chapter 51 of the Family Code to require juvenile detention and correctional facilities to place children based on their biological sex as documented on their official birth certificate or other government records. The birth certificate must reflect the biological sex at or near the time of birth unless corrected for clerical errors. Exceptions allow juvenile boards or the Texas Juvenile Justice Department to consider unique safety needs under the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) National Standards to ensure the health and safety of children. The bill also prohibits the Department of State Health Services from charging fees to provide birth certificates for these purposes. The act takes effect on September 1, 2025, unless it achieves immediate implementation through a two-thirds majority vote.
Author (1)
Contact the Author
Rep. Valoree Swanson
Capitol Phone:
(512) 463-0572
Capitol Office:
EXT E1.408
E-Mail:
