The Texas State Capitol in Austin. The attorney general’s office has launched a complaint form tied to a new state law affecting public facilities.

By Kingsville Independent News Staff

AUSTIN — Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has launched a public complaint form to report alleged violations of a newly enacted state law governing access to multi-occupancy restrooms and locker rooms in public facilities, including schools and government buildings.

The initiative follows the passage of Senate Bill 8, known as the Texas Women’s Privacy Act, which was approved by the Texas Legislature and took effect Dec. 4, 2025.

What the law does

Under SB 8, state agencies and political subdivisions — including public school districts, charter schools, and public colleges and universities — must designate multi-occupancy private spaces, such as restrooms and locker rooms, for use by individuals of one sex only.

The law requires those entities to take what it describes as “every reasonable step” to ensure individuals do not enter facilities designated for the opposite sex.

What the attorney general announced

The Office of the Attorney General has created an online complaint form that allows members of the public to report state agencies or local governments they believe are not complying with SB 8.

According to the attorney general’s office, complaints may be submitted for alleged violations occurring on or after the law’s effective date.

Who is affected

The law applies to:

• Public school districts
• Open-enrollment charter schools
• Public colleges and universities
• State and local government agencies that operate multi-occupancy private facilities

Based on the language included in the attorney general’s announcement, the law does not apply to private businesses or private residences.

What this could mean locally

For communities like Kingsville, the law may affect how public institutions review restroom and locker room policies, as well as facility management practices at schools, colleges, and government-owned buildings.

As of publication, no Kingsville-area school districts or public institutions have announced policy changes related to SB 8, and no local complaints have been publicly disclosed.

What remains unclear

The attorney general’s announcement does not specify how complaints will be reviewed or investigated, what enforcement actions may result, how “reasonable steps” will be defined, or how the law may interact with federal protections or potential legal challenges.

What’s next

The attorney general’s office has said it will use submitted complaints to ensure compliance with the new law. Local public institutions may issue guidance or policy updates as the law’s effective date approaches.

Kingsville Independent News will continue to monitor how state policy changes affect local schools, public institutions, and residents.

Here is a link to the Tip Line: Texas Women’s Privacy Act Complaint Form (SB 8) | Office of the Attorney General