88R3750 LRM-D
 
  By: Reynolds H.B. No. 851
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the creation of a task force to study the legal and
  societal barriers to equality for transgender persons.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  (a) In this section, "task force" means the
  transgender equality task force established by this Act.
         (b)  The task force is established to study the legal and
  societal barriers to equality for transgender persons in this
  state.
         (c)  The task force is composed of:
               (1)  11 members appointed by the governor as follows:
                     (A)  one representative of the Texas Department of
  Banking;
                     (B)  one representative of the Texas Department of
  Criminal Justice;
                     (C)  one representative of the Department of
  Family and Protective Services;
                     (D)  one representative of the Texas Department of
  Insurance;
                     (E)  one representative of the Department of State
  Health Services;
                     (F)  one representative of the Texas Education
  Agency;
                     (G)  one representative of the Health and Human
  Services Commission;
                     (H)  one representative of an institution of
  higher education;
                     (I)  one representative of the Texas Workforce
  Commission civil rights division;
                     (J)  one representative of the Texas Workforce
  Commission division of workforce development; and
                     (K)  one representative of a nonprofit
  organization dedicated to civil rights;
               (2)  two members appointed by the lieutenant governor
  as follows:
                     (A)  a parent or guardian of a transgender person;
  and
                     (B)  an attorney who specializes in transgender
  rights; and
               (3)  two members appointed by the speaker of the house
  of representatives as follows:
                     (A)  a physician who specializes in transgender
  health issues; and
                     (B)  one transgender person.
         (d)  The task force shall hold its first meeting not later
  than October 1, 2023, and shall elect a presiding officer from among
  its membership.  The task force shall hold subsequent meetings at
  least quarterly at the call of the presiding officer.
         (e)  A task force member is not entitled to compensation for
  service on the task force but is entitled to reimbursement, as
  provided by the General Appropriations Act, for actual and
  necessary expenses incurred in performing task force duties. The
  task force may accept gifts, grants, and donations to pay for those
  expenses.
         (f)  The Texas Workforce Commission civil rights division
  shall provide administrative support services at the request of the
  task force.
         (g)  The task force shall study the state actions necessary
  to ensure equality and improve the lives of transgender persons,
  with particular attention to the following areas:
               (1)  health care, including access to health care
  providers who are trained in transgender medical issues;
               (2)  long-term care for transgender persons who are
  chronically ill or of advanced age;
               (3)  education;
               (4)  higher education;
               (5)  housing, including homelessness prevention and
  reduction;
               (6)  employment; and
               (7)  criminal justice, including the following:
                     (A)  raising transgender awareness among law
  enforcement through training; and
                     (B)  facilitating the appropriate placement of
  transgender persons in correctional facilities based on a person's
  gender identity.
         (h)  A state agency shall cooperate with and assist the task
  force in carrying out the duties of the task force.
         (i)  Not later than December 1, 2024, the task force shall
  prepare and submit to the governor and the legislature a written
  report that summarizes the task force's findings under this section
  and recommends solutions for advancing transgender equality and
  improving the lives of transgender persons in this state.
         (j)  The task force is abolished and this Act expires
  September 1, 2025.
         SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.