Texas House passes bills on gender definitions and insurance coverage for detransition care

In a tense and emotionally charged Saturday night session, the Texas House of Representatives advanced two controversial pieces of legislation that delve into the heart of the nation’s ongoing debate over gender, identity, and the role of government in regulating both. One bill codifies biological sex definitions into state law, while the other mandates insurance coverage for individuals who experience adverse effects from gender transition procedures — including those who later choose to detransition.

Biological Sex Definitions Enshrined in Law

House Bill 229, sponsored by Rep. Ellen Troxclair (R-Lakeway), seeks to provide a legally binding definition of male and female as the two sole biological sexes in Texas law. The bill passed after hours of intense debate and multiple procedural challenges, ultimately clearing the chamber along mostly party lines, with 86 Republicans voting in favor and 36 Democrats opposed.

Troxclair characterized the bill as a "women’s bill of rights," arguing that a clear legal definition of the word “woman” is necessary for protecting opportunities, privacy, and safety in areas such as athletics, healthcare, and public accommodations.

“For generations, our laws have recognized that women are distinct from men,” Troxclair said. “This distinction is not just scientific. It's legal, practical, and critical to protecting the rights, safety, and opportunities of women and girls across the state.”

Democratic lawmakers, however, strongly objected to the measure, calling it an unnecessary and discriminatory attempt to erase transgender and nonbinary Texans from the legal framework of the state. Rep. Jessica González (D-Dallas) led the opposition by proposing an amendment to eliminate the bill’s enacting clause — effectively nullifying it — but the attempt failed on a 79–28 vote.

“This isn’t about safety. This is about control,” said Rep. Gina Hinojosa (D-Austin), during floor debate. “This bill doesn’t protect anyone — it targets people who are already marginalized.”

Insurance Coverage for Detransition Services

Preceding the HB 229 debate, lawmakers tackled Senate Bill 1257, the House companion to HB 778, authored by Rep. Jeff Leach (R-Plano). The legislation requires insurance providers who already cover gender-affirming or gender-modification procedures to also cover related adverse effects and detransition services.

“Detransitioners are a growing population of not only Texans, but people across the country,” Leach said during his remarks. “If you take somebody to the dance and they want to go home, you have to take them home.”

Leach emphasized that SB 1257 doesn’t force all insurance companies to pay for detransition procedures — only those that already provide coverage for gender-transition services. The bill aims to ensure parity in coverage for those who later experience regret or complications from such medical treatments.

Democratic members pushed for amendments to expand or clarify the bill’s scope. Rep. Donna Howard (D-Austin) proposed limiting coverage to Texas residents, seeking to avoid incentivizing people from out of state to move to Texas for reversal procedures. Meanwhile, Rep. Hinojosa offered an amendment to require all insurance companies to cover adverse outcomes from gender modification, regardless of whether they cover transition procedures — arguing that anything less unfairly penalizes companies that offer broader coverage. That amendment was ultimately rejected.

Despite opposition, SB 1257 passed the House with a vote of 87–58.

Partisan Divide on Gender Policy

Together, the two bills underscore deep philosophical divides between Republicans and Democrats in the Texas Legislature on how to handle questions of sex, gender, and identity under state law.

Republicans, who hold majorities in both chambers, argue that their legislation aims to restore clarity, consistency, and fairness in a complex and often politicized policy area. Democrats contend the bills are part of a broader national effort to curtail the rights and recognition of transgender individuals, particularly youth.

After their initial passage Saturday night, both bills cleared third readings Monday afternoon, following additional debate, speeches, and attempts at amendment.

What’s Next

With House approval secured, the two bills are now expected to move toward reconciliation and then the governor’s desk. Gov. Greg Abbott has previously signaled support for similar measures, suggesting final approval could come swiftly.