The proposed bill, known as the Save James Act, seeks to amend the definitions of child abuse and neglect within the Texas Family Code, particularly concerning the treatment of children at risk of receiving gender transitioning or reassignment procedures. It introduces new legal language that expands the criteria for temporary emergency jurisdiction of a court, allowing intervention if a child is present in Texas and is at risk of receiving treatments prohibited under Section 161.702 of the Health and Safety Code. The bill also redefines "abuse" to include actions that affirm a child's perception of gender inconsistent with their biological sex, while explicitly stating that refusal to affirm such perceptions does not constitute abuse.

Additionally, the bill modifies the definition of "neglect" to clarify that it does not include the refusal to affirm a child's gender perception or expressed sexual orientation. This legislative change aims to provide clearer guidelines for the protection of children while addressing concerns related to gender identity and treatment. The bill is set to take effect on September 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Family Code 152.204, Family Code 161.702 (Family Code 161, Family Code 152)