AUSTIN — The Texas House on Friday approved legislation that would expand the ways Texans can be arrested for “sexual conduct” in front of a minor.
Senate Bill 12 was originally pitched as a way to ban children from attending drag shows. But the House sponsor amended the bill to remove explicit mentions of drag performers, and said the legislation now bars anyone from various acts in front of a minor or in a public place.
The bill passed by a vote of 88-12; 42 members were recorded as being present but not voting, an unusually high number. It must get the approval of the House once more, which could come as early as Saturday, and the Senate needs to sign off on any changes before it would head to Gov. Greg Abbott. The legislative session ends on May 29.
