January 5, 2017
Texas 'Bathroom Bill' Unveiled Ahead of 2017 Session
Will Weissert READ TIME: 1 MIN.
Texas lawmakers will decide whether to embrace an issue that caused a national uproar in North Carolina - banning transgendered people from using the bathroom of their choice.
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, a top social conservative voice in the state, unveiled the proposed law Thursday at a news conference.
Patrick says the "Privacy Protection Act" is a top priority for the GOP-controlled Legislature, which convenes next week.
Lawmakers likely will support it, even though Texas' largest business lobbying group says it and other anti-gay rights proposals could cost the state up to $8.5 billion and 100,000-plus jobs.
North Carolina faced boycotts, and potentially billions of dollars in lost state revenue, after passing its own version last year.
A Virginia lawmaker introduced similar legislation this week.
