On December 17, 2025, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced the introduction of an online complaint platform designed to uphold the Texas Women’s Privacy Act, also known as Senate Bill 8. This law, which restricts the use of public restrooms and locker rooms based on biological sex, now has a dedicated enforcement mechanism inviting residents to report perceived infractions in various state-controlled venues, including schools, universities, and government buildings.
The Texas Women's Privacy Act, signed by Governor Greg Abbott (R) in September and effective from December 4, mandates single-sex designation for multiple-occupancy restrooms and locker rooms in governmental entities. It also outlines the steps institutions must take to prevent unauthorized entry. Primary compliance responsibility falls to these institutions, though individuals who feel harmed by breaches of the law have the right to seek legal recourse.
Defending the initiative, Attorney General Paxton expressed concerns over protecting the privacy of women and girls. He described the measure as a counteraction to "radical leftism" and addressed the apprehension regarding "mentally ill men" invading private spaces traditionally reserved for females. Paxton's call to action encourages Texans to utilize the system, stating, “Together, we will uproot and bring justice to any state agency or political subdivision that opens the door for men to violate women’s privacy, dignity, and safety.”
Penalties for failing to adhere to the law are substantial, with first-time violations incurring fines of $25,000 and subsequent breaches potentially attracting fines up to $125,000 per day. The law stipulates certain exceptions, such as for young children accompanied by caregivers, law enforcement officers, custodians, and medical personnel when their duties necessitate access.
However, the new complaint system and the law itself have not gone without criticism. Opponents argue that they could lead to harassment and intimidation of transgender and intersex individuals. The Texas Freedom Network expressed concerns that the law subjects these communities to "repeated, invasive gender tests; harassment; humiliation; and even violence." Brian Klosterboer, a senior staff attorney for the ACLU of Texas, suggested that the platform "wrongly encourages Texans to violate each other’s privacy in bathrooms" and is part of ongoing efforts to “vilify and dehumanize transgender Texans,” according to The Texas Tribune.
While the law provides broad enforcement guidelines, it stops short of detailing specific procedures, leading to varied implementations across state agencies. Some have updated signs or revised policies, while others found their existing restroom regulations sufficient. The early days of enforcement have not been without incident; for example, on December 6, Department of Public Safety officers were reported to have blocked access to the women’s restroom at the Texas Capitol and conducted ID checks.
Texas joins a cohort of twenty states with similar restrictions in public schools, and fifteen of these extend the rules to certain government buildings. The launch of this reporting system underscores Texas’ commitment to actively monitoring compliance and represents a significant milestone in the enforcement of SB 8. Advocates of the platform view it as a necessary measure to ensure privacy in public facilities. In contrast, critics highlight the problems of inconsistent enforcement and the potential negative impact on the transgender and intersex communities.
