89R29549 KRM-D     By: Schatzline, Harris, Buckley, Wilson, H.B. No. 1655       Richardson     Substitute the following for H.B. No. 1655:     By:  Buckley C.S.H.B. No. 1655       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to a policy prohibiting public school employees from   assisting a student with social transitioning; authorizing a civil   penalty; authorizing injunctive relief.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Chapter 11, Education Code, is amended by adding   Subchapter I to read as follows:   SUBCHAPTER I. ASSISTANCE WITH SOCIAL TRANSITIONING PROHIBITED          Sec. 11.401.  SCHOOL DISTRICT POLICY: ASSISTANCE WITH SOCIAL   TRANSITIONING PROHIBITED.  (a)  In this subchapter, "social   transitioning" means a person's transition from the person's   biological sex at birth to the opposite biological sex through the   adoption of a different name, different pronouns, or other   expressions of gender that deny or encourage a denial of the   person's biological sex at birth.          (b)  The board of trustees of a school district shall adopt a   policy prohibiting an employee of the district from assisting a   student enrolled in the district with social transitioning,   including by providing any information about social transitioning   or providing guidelines intended to assist a person with social   transitioning.          (c)  A parent of a student enrolled in the district or a   district employee may report to the board of trustees of the   district a suspected violation of the policy adopted under   Subsection (b). The board shall investigate any suspected   violation and determine whether the violation occurred. If the   board determines that a district employee has assisted a student   enrolled at the district with social transitioning, the board shall   immediately report the violation to the commissioner.          Sec. 11.402.  INJUNCTIVE RELIEF; CIVIL PENALTY.  The   attorney general may file a suit against a school district for:                (1)  injunctive relief to prevent or restrain a   violation of this subchapter; or                (2)  a civil penalty in an amount determined by the   court for each violation of this subchapter.          SECTION 2.  Section 12.104, Education Code, is amended by   adding Subsection (b-5) to read as follows:          (b-5)  Section 11.401 applies to an open-enrollment charter   school as though the governing body of the school were the board of   trustees of a school district.          SECTION 3.  This Act applies beginning with the 2025-2026   school year.          SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives   a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as   provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this   Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this   Act takes effect September 1, 2025.