S.B. No. 1999 is a legislative bill aimed at providing protections for public employees and students regarding their use of terms consistent with biological sex. The bill amends the Education Code by adding Section 22.905, which prohibits school districts and open-enrollment charter schools from disciplining, retaliating against, or discriminating against students or employees who address others using terms that align with their biological sex. Additionally, it clarifies that this section does not limit the ability of schools to adopt anti-bullying policies or authorize harassment as defined by the Penal Code.

Furthermore, the bill introduces similar protections for institutions of higher education through the addition of Section 51.991, ensuring that students and employees are not penalized for using terms consistent with biological sex. It also establishes Chapter 621 in the Government Code, which extends these protections to public employers, preventing them from taking adverse actions against employees for similar reasons. The bill explicitly states that these provisions do not permit harassment as defined by existing law. The act is set to take effect immediately upon receiving a two-thirds vote from both houses or on September 1, 2025, if that threshold is not met.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: ()
Senate Committee Report: Subchapter Z, Chapter , Education Code 42.07, Subtitle A, Title , Government Code 42.07 (Subtitle A, Title , Government Code 42, Subchapter Z, Chapter , Education Code 42)
Engrossed: Subchapter Z, Chapter , Education Code 42.07, Subtitle A, Title , Government Code 42.07 (Subtitle A, Title , Government Code 42, Subchapter Z, Chapter , Education Code 42)