The Libertarian Party of Texas (LPTexas) opposes House Bill 2622, which amends current law to apply specific transport protections only to female patients being moved to mental health or residential care facilities. While the intent to protect vulnerable individuals is valid, HB 2622 enshrines unequal treatment under the law and violates core principles of individual liberty and equal rights.

Equal Protection Must Be Universal, Not Selective
HB 2622 reinforces the notion that only some individuals—based on sex—deserve protections like same-gender accompaniment or video documentation during transport. If such safeguards are necessary to prevent abuse or misconduct, then they should be applied to all patients, regardless of sex or gender.

Government Should Not Codify Discrimination
By singling out only female patients for enhanced protection, HB 2622 creates a double standard that denies equal dignity to male and nonbinary individuals in state custody. Laws should treat all people as equal under the law—anything less invites discrimination and undermines justice.

Preserving Individual Rights Requires Uniform Standards
LPTexas supports voluntary, consent-based practices that prioritize individual autonomy and safety. If transport procedures require oversight mechanisms like body-worn cameras or recording equipment, those standards should be uniformly adopted—not applied based on outdated assumptions about gender or vulnerability.

Conclusion
The Libertarian Party of Texas urges the Legislature to reject HB 2622 and instead pursue reforms that treat all Texans with equal respect and protection. Laws intended to safeguard the vulnerable must be applied to everyone—or to no one at all.