Texas Bill Could Criminalize Transgender Identity on Official Documents.
A newly proposed Texas bill could make it illegal for transgender individuals to identify as their gender on official documents, potentially leading to jail time and significant fines.
Bill Introduced to Penalize “Gender Identity Fraud”
Last week, Republican state Rep. Tom Oliverson filed a bill that would criminalize what it calls “gender identity fraud.” Under this proposal, it would be a state jail felony for a person to:
✔️ Provide false or misleading information about their sex assigned at birth to a government entity or employer.
✔️ Face up to two years in jail and a fine of up to $10,000 for violations.
Oliverson has not yet commented on the bill. No other lawmakers have co-sponsored it, making its passage unlikely, according to Chron (a Houston Chronicle affiliate). However, the bill signals a growing legislative push to restrict transgender rights in Texas.
Texas Moves to Restrict Trans Healthcare for Adults
Oliverson’s bill is part of a broader statewide push to limit transgender rights, particularly in healthcare.
Last month, Republican state Rep. Brent Money filed a bill that would:
✔️ Ban gender-affirming medical treatments for adults, including puberty blockers, hormone therapy, and gender-confirmation surgeries.
✔️ Cut public funding for medical institutions that provide such care.
This bill expands upon a 2023 law that already bans these treatments for minors by simply replacing the word “child” with “person”—effectively applying the same restrictions to adults.
After filing the bill, Money defended his stance on X (formerly Twitter), saying:
"These individuals deserve compassion, support, and real solutions to address their pain — not irreversible procedures that leave them scarred for life."
He accused doctors of exploiting transgender individuals for profit, claiming they push expensive surgeries and lifelong medication instead of offering “genuine care.”
Medical Experts Disagree
Despite these political claims, major medical organizations—including the American Medical Association (AMA), the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), and the American Psychological Association (APA)—support transition-related care for both minors and adults.
✔️ Multiple studies have shown that access to gender-affirming care improves mental health outcomes.
✔️ A nationwide survey of over 90,000 transgender individuals found that 94% reported increased life satisfaction after receiving transition-related treatments.
Texas' Long History of Anti-Trans Legislation
Texas has been at the forefront of efforts to restrict transgender rights, setting a precedent for other states.
✔️ 2017: Texas attempted to pass a “bathroom bill” banning transgender people from using restrooms matching their gender identity (it failed).
✔️ 2022: After failing to pass a ban on transition-related care for minors, the Texas attorney general classified such care as child abuse, leading to state investigations into parents.
✔️ 2023: Texas banned trans student athletes from competing on sports teams that align with their gender identity.
Most recently, Texas officials announced that an executive order signed by former President Donald Trump prevents trans people from updating their birth certificates, state IDs, and driver’s licenses to reflect their gender identity.
What’s Next?
So far this year, Texas lawmakers have introduced nearly 170 anti-LGBTQ bills, according to Equality Texas, an LGBTQ advocacy group. Among them is a revived bathroom bill, which is supported by a majority of the Texas House.
Although Oliverson’s bill currently lacks support, its introduction highlights a growing trend of restrictive legislation aimed at transgender individuals. The legal battles ahead could have nationwide consequences.
📢 What are your thoughts? Should gender identity on legal documents be criminalized? Let us know in the comments.
