HB1470 - Relating to a task force to study the legal and societal barriers to equality for transgender persons.

  89R5899 LRM-D     By: Reynolds H.B. No. 1470       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to 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, 2025, 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, 2026, 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, 2027.          SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.