Bill > HB437

This bill, known as the Juvenile Girls Protection Act, requires that juveniles in detention or correctional facilities be placed according to their biological sex as determined by their original birth certificate or other government records. Specifically, the bill mandates that a child's biological sex must be based on their official birth certificate, which should reflect the sex assigned at or near the time of birth and only modified for clerical errors. If a birth certificate is unavailable, another government record stating biological sex can be used. The Texas Juvenile Justice Department and juvenile boards must place children in facilities matching their biological sex, while still considering each child's unique safety needs in accordance with the Prison Rape Elimination Act National Standards. The bill also allows the Juvenile Justice Board to adopt rules to implement these requirements, ensuring compliance with state and federal law. The bill will take effect immediately if it receives a two-thirds vote in the Texas legislature, or on September 1, 2025, if it does not receive the necessary immediate voting support.

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https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=HB437