The Texas Senate [official website] voted Tuesday to advance SB 3 [text, PDF], which has been referred [Texas Tribune report] to as the “bathroom bill.” The bill requires persons using multi-occupancy restrooms, showers and changing facilities in a political subdivision, which includes public and open-charter schools, to use the restroom which matches the sex designated on their birth certificate or driver’s license, personal identification certificate or license to carry a handgun. The bill also disallows a person whose birth certificate designates them as a male to participate in athletic activities designated for females. The bill was passed by a vote of 21-10. It will next be sent to the House of Representatives [official website] for consideration. Democrats had questioned the bill’s constitutionality, potential costs from event cancellations and discrimination against transgender people. The bill is similar to a bill that was voted in March, except the old bill also included state buildings and public universities.

Transgender rights has been an important topic in several states throughout the US. Earlier this month New Jersey enacted [JURIST report] a law directing schools to recognize transgender rights. In March 11 states withdrew [JURIST report] a lawsuit against the US government after Obama’s bathroom guidance was overturned. The bathroom guidance was overturned [JURIST report] by the Trump administration in February. A Pennsylvania judge ruled [JURIST report] in February that transgender students could use the bathroom of their choice. In May 2016 Massachusetts Senate passed [JURIST report] a bill aimed at protecting transgender people from discrimination. In February 2016 South Dakota’s Senate passed [JURIST report] a bill that prevented opposite-sex bathroom use in public schools.