TX HB1609

Prohibits employers with 20 or more employees from terminating, suspending, or discriminating against employees who are volunteer emergency responders (volunteer firefighters or EMS volunteers) for being absent or late due to responding to a declared disaster

Limits protected absences to 14 days per calendar year unless the employer approves additional time off

Requires employees to make reasonable efforts to notify their employer of potential absences; if unable to provide advance notice due to extreme circumstances, employees must submit written verification from their emergency service organization upon request

Allows employers to reduce wages for time missed or require employees to use existing vacation, personal, or compensatory leave for disaster response absences

Provides employees wrongfully terminated or suspended the right to reinstatement, lost wages, and restoration of benefits and seniority, with civil action to be filed within one year of the violation

Takes effect September 1, 2025