The Brief<\/p>\n
Austin ISD put on notice over citizen complaint regarding violations of SB 8<\/p>\n
SB 8 or the Texas Women’s Privacy Act requires state agencies, political subdivisions to separate private spaces based on biological sex<\/p>\n
AISD now has 15 days to comply with the notice or face daily fines of $5,000<\/p>\n
AUSTIN, Texas – Austin ISD has been put on notice by the Texas Attorney General over a citizen complaint regarding violations of the Texas Women’s Privacy Act, or Senate Bill 8.<\/p>\n
What they’re saying<\/p>\n
The AG’s office says the complaint alleges that both the district and Austin High School have been made aware that a “biological male” has been using girls’ restrooms and locker rooms.<\/p>\n
According to the AG’s office, this is in direct violation of Senate Bill 8<\/a>, which was signed into law by Gov. Greg Abbott in September during the second special session of the 89th Texas Legislature.<\/p>\n SB 8 requires state agencies and political subdivisions, including school districts, to “designate each multiple-occupancy private space in the entity\u2019s buildings for use only by individuals of one biological sex, either male or female.”<\/p>\n This includes restrooms, locker rooms, changing rooms, shower rooms or any space where someone could be in a “state of undress in the presence of another, regardless of curtains or partial walls for privacy,” according to a bill analysis published by the Texas Legislature<\/a>.<\/p>\n The AG’s office says that Austin ISD has been advised now that, under SB 8, there is a $5,000 penalty for every day going forward that the violation continues. Also, as required by law, the notice is a statutory prerequisite to a lawsuit and AISD now has 15 days to comply.<\/p>\n The other side<\/p>\n FOX 7 Austin has reached out to Austin ISD for comment and has yet to hear back.<\/p>\n Recent clashes between Austin ISD, Texas AG<\/p>\n Dig deeper<\/p>\n This is not the first time in recent months that the Texas AG’s office has taken aim at Austin ISD.<\/p>\n