87R8648 MWC-D
 
  By: Reynolds H.B. No. 2355
 
 
 
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 persons who are transgender.
         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.
         (b)  The task force is established to study the legal and
  societal barriers to equality for persons in this state who are
  transgender.
         (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 person who is
  transgender; 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 person who is transgender.
         (d)  The task force shall hold its first meeting not later
  than October 1, 2021, 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 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 persons who are
  transgender, 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 persons who are transgender and
  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
  persons who are transgender 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, 2022, 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 persons in this state who are transgender.
         (j)  The task force is abolished and this Act expires
  September 1, 2023.
         SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.