Gov. Abbott Calls Special Session including Privacy in Bathrooms
Gov. Also Signs Partial-birth Abortion Ban Into Law
Today brought about good news on several fronts, including two issues central to the work being done by Texas Values – protecting privacy in bathrooms, showers, and intimate spaces and expanding protections for the life and dignity of the unborn.
Gov. Greg Abbott announced this afternoon that privacy will be on the call for the special session. The special session is set to begin July 18, 2017.
Abbott said the privacy issue, as well as other legislative items on the call, will be eligible for consideration after the Texas Senate drafts and approves unfinished Sunset bills for agencies set to expire.
“We are thrilled that Gov. Abbott added the Privacy issue to a list of 20-plus bills on the special session call,” said Jonathan Saenz, President of Texas Values. “We know that Gov. Abbott, along with the overwhelming majority of Texans, supports keeping men and boys out of girls’ restrooms, showers, and locker rooms. This is a growing problem that must be solved before children head back to school. We look forward to helping parents and children to have the protection in law they deserve.”
In other business, and prior to this afternoon’s press conference, the Governor signed into law one of Texas Values’ top pro-life priorities: an amended SB 8, which bans the practice of dismemberment abortions among other pro-life reforms.
“The barbaric practice of ripping unborn children apart while their heart is still beating has finally been stopped in Texas,” said Nicole Hudgens, Policy Analyst for Texas Values. “In addition, the body parts of unborn children will no longer be sold for profit, a partial-birth abortion ban will now adequately be enforced, and the human dignity of aborted children will be recognized.”
An amendment by Rep. Stephanie Klick (originally HB 844 by Rep. Klick and SB 415 by Sen. Charles Perry) gave Rep. Charles Schwertner’s SB 8 stronger enforcement powers at the state level. The bill, which goes into effect Sept. 1, stops partial-birth abortions, prohibits the sale of baby body parts, and honors the human dignity of aborted children via burial and cremation (as opposed to disposal into the sewer system). During the interim, the Texas Values team supported David Daleiden’s work to expose Planned Parenthood for selling baby body parts and testified in favor of the Department of State Health Services’ rule that recognizes the human dignity of aborted children.
About Texas Values
Texas Values is a nonprofit organization dedicated to standing for faith, family, and freedom in Texas. More information is available at txvalues.org