New Texas Bill

JoAnnDallas · Post by **JoAnnDallas** » Thu Jan 15, 2009 9:02 am

By: Villarreal H.B. No. 538

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT
relating to the prohibition of employment discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity or expression. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Section 21.002, Labor Code, is amended by adding Subdivisions (9-a) and (13-a) to read as follows:
(9-a) "Gender identity or expression" means having or being perceived as having a gender-related identity, appearance, expression, or behavior, whether or not that identity, appearance, expression, or behavior is different from that commonly associated with the person's actual or perceived sex.
(13-a) "Sexual orientation" means the actual or perceived status of an individual with respect to the individual's sexuality.
SECTION 2. Section 21.051, Labor Code, is amended to read as follows:
Sec. 21.051. DISCRIMINATION BY EMPLOYER. An employer commits an unlawful employment practice if because of race, color, disability, religion, sex, national origin, [or] age, sexual orientation, or gender identity or expression the employer:
(1) fails or refuses to hire an individual, discharges an individual, or discriminates in any other manner against an individual in connection with compensation or the terms, conditions, or privileges of employment; or
(2) limits, segregates, or classifies an employee or applicant for employment in a manner that would deprive or tend to deprive an individual of any employment opportunity or adversely affect in any other manner the status of an employee.
SECTION 3. Section 21.052, Labor Code, is amended to read as follows:
Sec. 21.052. DISCRIMINATION BY EMPLOYMENT AGENCY. An employment agency commits an unlawful employment practice if the employment agency:
(1) fails or refuses to refer for employment or discriminates in any other manner against an individual because of race, color, disability, religion, sex, national origin, [or] age, sexual orientation, or gender identity or expression; or
(2) classifies or refers an individual for employment on the basis of race, color, disability, religion, sex, national origin, [or] age, sexual orientation, or gender identity or expression.

Full Bill at
http://tinyurl.com/9qbdrz

Representative Michael Villarreal
http://tinyurl.com/9rszpt

Post by **DonnaT** » Thu Jan 15, 2009 4:05 pm

Cool!

JoAnnDallas · Post by **JoAnnDallas** » Thu Jan 15, 2009 9:26 pm

One can go on-line and follow the progress of a Texas Bill.

Stage 1 - Filed - 1/12/2009
Stage 2 - House Committee
Stage 3 - House Vote
Stage 4 - Senate Committee
Stage 5 - Senate Vote
Stage 6 - Signed into law
Stage 7 - Date becomes law

Erin L · Post by **Erin L** » Thu Jan 15, 2009 10:55 pm

Wow! Any idea of its chances for passage?

JoAnnDallas · Post by **JoAnnDallas** » Fri Jan 16, 2009 8:39 am

Dallas, Houston, Austin, and San Antonio all have local ENDA that cover "Gender Impression" which covers us. All of these cites did it years ago and so far there have not been any problems. I feel in light of that, that the bill has a good chance to pass. Funny thing is Texas is a Republican State, but the Republicans were burn this last election. This could give it more chance to pass, as they want to show the public that they too are for change.

If it pass the House Committee, then it's chances go up a lot.

Post by **DonnaT** » Fri Jan 16, 2009 11:27 am

JoAnnDallas wrote:One can go on-line and follow the progress of a Texas Bill.

http://www.legis.state.tx.us/BillLookup ... Bill=HB538

JoAnnDallas · Post by **JoAnnDallas** » Mon Feb 23, 2009 9:53 pm

UPDATE

H Referred to State Affairs 02/18/2009
H Read first time 02/18/2009
H Filed 01/12/2009

JoAnnDallas · Post by **JoAnnDallas** » Fri Feb 27, 2009 1:57 pm

Hello everyone:

HB 538, Texas ENDA, has been referred to the Texas House Committee on State Affairs. Everyone interested in this legislation should write in and call the members of the committee so this bill does not die in committee! Listed below are the committee chairman, vice chairman, members of the committee, their capitol phone numbers and the districts that they represent.

State Affairs Committee

Chairman:

Representative Burt Solomons (512) 463-0478

Counties Represented: Denton (part)

Vice Chairman:

Representative Jose Menendez (512) 463-0634

Counties Represented Bexar (part)

Members:

Representative Byron Cook (512) 463-0730

Counties Represented Anderson, Freestone, Limestone, Navarro

Representative Tom Craddick (512) 463-0500

Counties Represented Crane, Upton , Midland , Martin, Dawson

Representative David Farabee (512) 463-0534

Counties Represented Wichita, Archer

Representative Pete Gallego (512) 463-0566

Counties Represented Uvalde, Edwards, Val Verde, Terrell, Pecos , Brewster, Presidio, Jeff Davis, Ward, Reeves, Loving, Culberson, Hudspeth

Representative Charlie Geren (512) 463-0610

Counties Represented Tarrant (part)

Representative Patricia Harless (512) 463-0496

Counties Represented Harris (part)

Representative Harvey Hilderbran (512) 463-0536

Counties Represented Crockett, Sutton, Schleicher, Real, Kerr, Kimble, Menard, Mason, Llano, San Saba, McCulloch, Concho, Coleman, Runnels, Callahan

Representative Delwin Jones (512) 463-0542

Counties Represented Lubbock (part), Hockley, Cochran, Yoakum, Gaines

Representative Rene Oliveira (512) 463-0640

Counties Represented Cameron (part)

Representative Eddie Lucio III (512) 463-0606

Counties Represented Cameron (part)

Representative Diana Maldonado (512) 463-0670

Counties Represented Williamson (part)

Representative David Swinford (512) 463-0470

Counties Represented Sherman, Moore, Potter, Carson

Representative Sylvester Turner (512) 463-0554

Counties Represented Harris (part)

Committee Clerk:

Lesley French

Committee Address:

EXT E2.108
P.O. Box 2910
Austin , TX 78768-2910
Phone: (512) 463-0814

www.house.state. tx.us