You could sue in Texas court over discrimination over your sexual orientation or gender identity at work, at home, or in a store
What it does
HB 810 would add sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression as protected traits in Texas employment, housing, and public accommodation law. It would create a new civil claim, so a person could file suit in district court within two years of the discrimination and seek actual and punitive damages, attorney's fees, and court costs. It would also require state agencies to make their contractors follow a no discrimination employment policy, with an administrative penalty of $100 per day for each employee or applicant who is discriminated against. Religious organizations would be exempt, except for activities they conduct for profit, and the bill would take effect September 1, 2027.
What it means for your community
For job seekers and employees, this would mean you can file a complaint with the Texas Workforce Commission or take your case to court when you are refused a job, fired, or treated worse over your sexual orientation or gender identity. Renters and home buyers would gain the same protection, so landlords, agents, and real estate brokers could not refuse a sale or rental, or change the terms, on those grounds. Cities are part of the picture too, because the state commission that handles fair housing complaints would have to keep a case in Austin when the city where the problem happened has no law of its own covering this discrimination.
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