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TX HB5400

Bill

Status

Introduced

3/14/2025

Primary Sponsor

Jessica Gonzalez

Click for details

Origin

House of Representatives

89th Legislature Regular Session

AI Summary

  • Expands the definition of "sexual harassment" to include conduct creating an "abusive" working environment, in addition to existing terms of intimidating, hostile, or offensive environments

  • Allows individuals to file civil lawsuits for sexual harassment without first filing a complaint with the Texas Workforce Commission, bypassing the typical administrative exhaustion requirement

  • Establishes a 2-year statute of limitations for sexual harassment civil actions, measured from the date the unlawful conduct occurred (rather than from filing a complaint)

  • Removes existing damage caps for sexual harassment claims (which range from $50,000 to $300,000 based on employer size), instead subjecting these cases to general Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code provisions

  • Takes effect September 1, 2025, and applies only to conduct occurring on or after that date

Legislative Description

Relating to unlawful employment practices based on sexual harassment, including complaints and civil actions arising from those practices.

Civil Remedies & Liabilities

Last Action

Left pending in subcommittee

4/29/2025

Committee Referrals

Workforce Subcommittee4/7/2025

Full Bill Text

No bill text available