Bill requiring biological sex data clears state House

An electronic health bill requiring medical records to note a patient’s biological sex and any “sexual development disorder” passed the Texas House on Friday.

Many LGBTQ advocates told lawmakers they feared the measure would identify transgender Texans, potentially outing them to medical professionals who might be hostile to them because of their identity. Republicans pushing the bill, however, described it as an effort to give doctors access to important medical information so they can give patients the best care. The Senate, which passed its version of the legislation in April, must decide whether to accept the House’s proposal.