FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 5, 2023
CONTACT: Emily Witt, [email protected]
AUSTIN, Texas — The Texas House today failed to advance Senate Bill 14, and it was sent back to the Committee on Public Health following a point of order from Representative Mary Gonzalez regarding unfounded information in the bill’s language.
SB 14 was voted out of the State Senate on April 4. The bill will now go back to the House Committee on Public Health for further debate.
Texas Freedom Network Vice President of Programs Marti Bier (they/them) issued the following response:
“We finally have reason to be hopeful after months of Texans showing up in powerful numbers to rebuke the radical right’s attempts to ban lifesaving healthcare for transgender youth. It is our collective strength and love for the transgender community that stopped this dangerous piece of legislation from moving forward today, and we are immeasurably grateful for Representatives Gonzalez, Zwiener, Moody, and other allies in the legislature who continue focusing on protecting Texans, instead of harming us.
“Transgender healthcare for youth is considered lifesaving by every major medical association in the country, and every moment this bill remains stalled, lives are undoubtedly saved. Together, we have now sent the message to extremist lawmakers that transgender kids deserve to grow up, transgender people belong in Texas, and we will always fight to be safe and free in our state. While we know there will be more battles ahead, this is a moment to feel hopeful and rejoice.”
If SB 14 is voted out of the House Committee on Public Health, it must then pass through the House Calendars Committee before being heard on the House Floor.
