The bill, H.B. No. 229, aims to establish clear definitions and guidelines regarding biological sex within Texas law. It asserts that males and females possess distinct biological differences that are immutable and significant, particularly in contexts such as pregnancy, physical strength, and vulnerability to violence. The bill emphasizes the importance of recognizing these differences in various settings, including athletics, correctional facilities, and shelters, and seeks to clarify the definitions of terms such as "male," "female," "boy," "girl," "man," and "woman." New definitions are added to the Government Code, specifying that "sex" refers to an individual's biological sex, either male or female, and outlines the biological characteristics associated with each gender.

Additionally, the bill mandates that governmental entities collecting vital statistics information must categorize individuals strictly as either male or female for compliance with antidiscrimination laws and for data collection purposes. This provision aims to ensure consistency in the identification of biological sex across various governmental functions. The bill is set to take effect on September 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Government Code 311.005 (Government Code 311)