Bathroom ban heads to Abbott with change

A measure prohibiting transgender people from using public bathrooms and similar private spaces that align with their gender identity is headed to Gov. Greg Abbott’s desk after the Texas Senate on Wednesday approved to a small change made to the bill by the House.

Senate Bill 8, by Sen. Mayes Middleton, R-galveston, would prohibit government entities such as cities, counties, school districts and universities from adopting policies that would allow transgender people to use private facilities of the gender they identify as. The bill also extends to facilities in state agencies and state correctional facilities.

The version going to Abbott’s desk will hit violators with a $25,000 fine for their first violation and a $125,000 fine for future violations. Individual Texans would not be fined under the bill.