Bill Caption

Relating to the protection of children, including the definition of child abuse and the prosecution of the criminal offense of abandoning or endangering a child. 

Fiscal Notes

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated. 

Bill Analysis

SB 1646 would add critera to the definition of child abuse. Under this definition a person who administers, supplies, consents to, or assists in the administering or supplying of a puberty suppression prescription drug or hormone to a child, or performs certain surgeries or medical procedures on a child other than an intersex child would be guilty of child abuse. 

Intersex children are considered children who either have a birth defect that results in characteristics that are not suited to the typical definition of male or female or who are atypical for the sex determined, or are considered by a medical professional to have characteristics that are ambiguous or atypical for the sex determined. 

Vote Recommendation Notes

SB 1646 would help ensure that children are not being abused by the politics of the day that supports altering the physical, developmental, and mental characteristics of prebubesnt children. These kinds of changes cannot be reversed and can ruin a child's future. Children cannot legally give consent and therefore they do not have the capacity to make such a life-altering decision. When this decision is made for that child, that child loses their potential and their responsibility. 

Once a child reaches the age of majority, which in Texas is either 18 or 21 years old depending on the situation, if they still wish to make these life altering decisions they may very well do so of their own accord. Until that time this bill's definition of child abuse is appropriate. This bill supports the principles of personal responsibility and individual liberty, therefore Texas Action supports SB 1646.