Greg Abbott signed legislation into law on Monday that will require transgender individuals to use bathrooms in certain public areas according to their sex assigned at birth or face substantial financial penalties. The bill first passed the Texas House by an 86-45 vote on Aug. 28. Straight Facts.TM Nineteen states have laws restricting transgender individuals’ use of certain bathrooms that coincide with their gender identity, according to the Movement Advancement Project. “By signing SB 8, Governor Abbott has cemented one of the most intrusive and discriminatory policies in Texas law,” Texas Freedom Network Political Director Rocio Fierro-Perez said in a statement. Currently, 19 states have some form of public restroom restrictions in place for transgender individuals.