Each session legislators file dozens of bills affecting the rights and duties of employers. TCJL has regularly tracked these bills and taken action on them at the request of our membership. This session TCJL, in cooperation with other business and industry associations, has activated the Jobs for Texas (JFT) entity for the purpose of working on these bills. In addition, JFT will closely follow legislation relating to workers’ compensation and the privacy of consumer data. JFT and TCJL will coordinate responses to legislation in these areas and advocate for the interests of employers during the coming months.To date, TCJL is tracking the following bills relating specifically to employment law:
HB 21 by Neave: Amends §21.201(g) and §21.202(a), Labor Code, to extend the limitations period for filing a complaint alleging sexual harassment with the Texas WorkforcCommission from 180 to 300 days.
HB 38 by Reynolds/HB 392 by Bowers/SB 77 by Miles: Adds §21.0195, Labor Code, to make it an unlawful employment practice for an employer, labor union, or employment agency to adopts or enforces a dress or grooming policy that discriminates against a hair texture or protective hair style commonly or historically associated with race.
HB 48 by Zwiener/SB 45 by Zaffirini: Adds Subchapter C-1, Chapter 21, Labor Code, to make it an unlawful employment practice if sexual harassment of an employee occurs and the employer or the employer’s agents or supervisors knows or should have known that the conduct constituting sexual harassment was occurring and fail to take immediate and appropriate corrective action.
HB 318 by VanDeaver: Prohibits employment discrimination against an employee who is a volunteer emergency responder for an emergency service organization.
HB 360 by Sherman: Adds Chapter 24, Labor Code, to make it an unlawful employment practice for an employer to inquire into or consider an applicant’s wage history information in hiring, unless the employee voluntarily discloses the information. Makes it an unlawful employment practice for an employer to rely on an applicant’s or employee’s wage history for hiring, compensation, or promotion. Prohibits retaliation against a person who takes action on a violation of this chapter. Enforcement is by civil lawsuit in district court. Authorizes injunctive relief, damages, and reasonable attorney’s fees and costs.
HB 405 by Hernandez/SB 57 by Zaffirini: Extends the deadline for filing a wage claim with the Texas Work Force Commission from 180 days to the first anniversary date of the date the wages became due for payment.
HB 419 by Sherman: Adds Chapter 24, Labor Code, to make it an unlawful employment practice for an employer to inquire into or consider an applicant’s wage history information in hiring, unless the employee voluntarily discloses the information. Prohibits retaliation against a person who takes action on a violation of this chapter. Enforcement is by complaint under Chapter 21, Labor Code.
