Texas Bill Could Make It a Felony to Identify as Transgender

Many bills have been introduced into the Texas Congress lately, and the latest introduced bill will cause controversy all over the world.

Republican Texas House Representative Tom Oliverson has introduced House Bill 3817.  Rep. Oliverson represents House District 130 in Texas, this is in Harris County and includes the cities of Waller, Tomball, Cypress, and Hockley.

What Would House Bill 3817 do if Passed?

This bill is for Gender Identity Fraud.  If passed, it would make it a state jail felony for a person to identify as something other than their biological sex to a government entity or employer.

In other words, it would make it a felony to identify as transgender in Texas.

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What is the Punishment for Gender Identity Fraud?

If the bill passed, those found guilty of Gender Identity fraud could face up to two years in prison and a $10,000.

This bill is in the early stages and was filed on March 5, 2025, and currently doesn't include any co-sponsors. The bill still has to move to a House committee and then to a vote in the House.  If it passes these stages, it would have to do the same in the Texas Senate.  Likely, this bill will not pass the House of Representatives, much less the Senate, to make it to Governor Abbott's desk to sign into a law.

Thousands of bills are introduced each year into the Texas State Congress and more than half never get passed.

What is Transgender?

According to the dictionary, "denoting or relating to a person whose gender identity does not correspond with the sex registered for them at birth."

According to Every Texan, 122,000 transgender people live in the state of Texas.