BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

Senate Research Center

S.B. 1999

 

By: Hughes

 

State Affairs

 

3/20/2025

 

As Filed

 

 

 

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

 

S.B. 1999 aims to protect public employees and certain students from facing disciplinary action, retaliation, or discrimination when they use language consistent with a person's biological sex. This bill modifies existing laws in the Education Code and Government Code to provide these protections.

 

Key points of S.B. 1999:

  1. Public school employees, including teachers, cannot be punished for addressing students or colleagues using terms that align with their biological sex.
  2. Employees and students at higher education institutions receive similar protections.
  3. Public employees are also protected when addressing other employees or the general public in this manner.

 

This bill addresses several concerns:

  1. Moral or religious objections: Some individuals may have personal beliefs that prevent them from using language inconsistent with a person's biological sex.
  2. Ethical concerns: Some may believe that using such language could worsen a person's gender dysphoria.
  3. Practical issues: With varying claims about the number of genders, ranging from 20 to 107, it can be challenging for public employees to keep up with evolving terminology while performing their duties.

 

By providing these protections, S.B. 1999 allows public employees to focus on their jobs without worrying about potential consequences related to their communication choices based on biological sex. This bill amends current laws to ensure that public employees and students can use terms consistent with biological sex without fear of repercussions.

 

As proposed, S.B. 1999 amends current law relating to protection for certain individuals' use of terms consistent with biological sex.

 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

 

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

 

SECTION 1. Amends Subchapter Z, Chapter 22, Education Code, by adding Section 22.905, as follows:

 

Sec. 22.905. PROTECTION FOR USE OF TERMS CONSISTENT WITH BIOLOGICAL SEX. Prohibits a school district or open-enrollment charter school from disciplining, retaliating against, or otherwise discriminating against a district or school employee or student who addresses a student or district or school employee in terms consistent with the biological sex of the student or employee.

 

SECTION 2. Amends Subchapter Z, Chapter 51, Education Code, by adding Section 51.9316, as follows:

 

Sec. 51.9316. PROTECTION FOR USE OF TERMS CONSISTENT WITH BIOLOGICAL SEX. Prohibits an institution of higher education from disciplining, retaliating against, or otherwise discriminating against an employee or student who addresses a student or employee in terms consistent with the biological sex of the student or employee.

 

SECTION 3. Amends Subtitle Z, Title 10, Government Code, by adding Chapter 3001, as follows:

 

CHAPTER 3001. PROTECTION OF CERTAIN GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEE SPEECH

 

Sec. 3001.001. PROTECTION FOR USE OF TERMS CONSISTENT WITH BIOLOGICAL SEX. (a) Defines "public employer."

 

(b) Prohibits a public employer from disciplining, retaliating against, or otherwise discriminating against an employee who addresses another employee or a member of the general public in terms consistent with the biological sex of the employee or member of the general public.

 

SECTION 4. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2025.