Senate Bill 8 Takes Effect This Week; What the New Statewide Restrictions Mean for Tyler County

By Sal Baldovinos

WOODVILLE, Texas – Dec. 2, 2025

Texas’ new restroom-access law, Senate Bill 8, takes effect Thursday, creating sex-based restrictions in public buildings statewide. The measure, also referred to by lawmakers as the Texas Women’s Privacy Act, applies directly to counties, cities, school districts and public universities — including facilities in Tyler County.

Local public agencies are now required to ensure multi-stall restrooms, showers and changing rooms are used according to a person’s sex assigned at birth. The law does not apply to private businesses, restaurants or stores, and it does not place any penalties on individuals. Instead, public entities that fail to comply can face substantial fines and potential lawsuits.

Where SB 8 Applies in Tyler County

Under the law, restrictions will apply to public buildings owned or operated by political subdivisions and state agencies. In Tyler County, this includes:

• County buildings such as the courthouse, county offices and annexes

• City-owned buildings in Woodville, Warren, Colmesneil, Chester and Ivanhoe

• All public school campuses and open-enrollment charter schools

• Angelina College’s Woodville teaching location and any other state-supported higher-education sites operating locally

The law does not impact restroom policies for privately owned businesses, event venues or churches.

SB 8 includes exemptions for emergency medical assistance, law enforcement purposes, maintenance work, and situations where someone is assisting a person who needs help. Children age 9 or younger may enter a restroom with an accompanying adult regardless of sex.

Local Agencies Preparing Policies

The law requires counties, school districts and other public institutions to take “every reasonable step” to ensure compliance but does not define specific enforcement procedures. State lawmakers have directed local agencies to develop their own policies.

Tyler County offices and local school districts have not yet released detailed guidance on how they plan to implement SB 8, though several agencies statewide have reported they are reviewing signage and internal procedures. Critics have raised concerns that unclear enforcement standards could lead to unnecessary confrontations or mistaken reports.

Any complaint must first be submitted in writing by a Texas resident to the institution where the alleged violation occurred. Agencies have three days to address the issue before the Attorney General can investigate. If a violation is confirmed, institutions face a $25,000 fine for the first instance and $125,000 per day for subsequent violations until corrected.

Schools Expected to See the Most Day-to-Day Impact

Because SB 8 directly applies to public school campuses, Tyler County school districts may experience the most operational impact. Multi-stall restrooms and locker rooms will fall under the new restrictions, while single-user restrooms remain permitted for anyone.

Statewide, education leaders have expressed concerns about how oversight will work on busy campuses and how staff will be expected to respond to complaints. SB 8 does not authorize physical checks or searches, though the law also does not explicitly forbid them. Legislative sponsors have described invasive enforcement actions as “unreasonable,” but schools and other public agencies are still awaiting additional clarity.

Family Violence Shelters and Prison Housing

SB 8 also requires family violence shelters designed specifically for female victims to admit only those assigned female at birth, along with minor children. It remains unclear how many Texas shelters fall under that definition due to federal requirements mandating services regardless of sex. No Tyler County-specific shelter has announced changes in response to SB 8.

For the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, the law formalizes practices already in place. Prisons must assign housing based on sex assigned at birth, which the agency says it currently does for transgender inmates statewide.

Community Impact and Next Steps

For Tyler County residents, the most visible changes may involve updated signage and revised policies in county offices, city buildings and schools. The law does not require individuals to show identification, but agencies must demonstrate they are taking reasonable measures to comply.

Local governments and schools are expected to share more information in the coming days as policies are finalized. Residents with questions about how SB 8 will be applied in specific buildings are encouraged to contact the relevant agency.

As SB 8 takes effect, Tyler County institutions will continue evaluating procedures to remain in compliance with state requirements while balancing privacy, safety and the daily operations of public facilities.