While federal courts and the White House have drawn national attention, state legislatures remain the busiest arena for transgender-related lawmaking in 2026. Trackers that follow the bills count hundreds introduced across the country over the past two years, with a smaller number enacted.
The measures span several areas: restrictions on gender-affirming care, sports-participation rules, bathroom and facilities access, identity-document requirements, curriculum and school policies, and drag-performance limits. They are concentrated in Republican-led states, while several Democratic-led states have moved in the opposite direction, passing “shield” laws intended to protect access to care and out-of-state patients.
At the federal level, Democratic lawmakers have reintroduced a resolution calling for a “Transgender Bill of Rights” (H.Res. 1058 in the 119th Congress), though it has no path to passage in the current Congress and is largely symbolic.
Supporters of the state restrictions frame them as protecting women’s sports, child welfare, and parental rights. Opponents describe a coordinated national campaign that curtails the rights of a vulnerable minority. The practical result is a sharply divided map, in which a transgender person’s legal rights increasingly depend on the state where they live.
Sources: Trans Legislation Tracker; H.Res. 1058 (Congress.gov); Anti-Trans Legal Risk Map.
Frequently asked questions
How many transgender-related bills are states considering?
Trackers count hundreds introduced over the past two years, with a smaller number enacted, concentrated in Republican-led states.
What do the bills cover?
They address gender-affirming care, sports participation, bathroom and facilities access, identity documents, school curriculum and policies, and drag performances.
Are any states moving the other way?
Yes. Several Democratic-led states have passed shield laws to protect access to care, and federal Democrats have reintroduced a symbolic Transgender Bill of Rights (H.Res. 1058).