Bill > HB729

This bill amends the Texas Property Code to explicitly prohibit housing discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, expanding existing protections against housing discrimination. The bill adds definitions for "sexual orientation" (an individual's actual or perceived status as heterosexual, homosexual, or bisexual) and "gender identity" (an individual's gender-related identity, appearance, or characteristics), and modifies multiple sections of the code to include these new protected characteristics alongside existing protections based on race, color, religion, sex, disability, and national origin. Specifically, the bill prevents discrimination in activities such as selling or renting dwellings, publishing housing-related advertisements, representing property availability, inducing neighborhood changes, conducting real estate transactions, and providing brokerage services. The bill also adjusts provisions related to religious organizations and appraisals to include the new protected categories. Additionally, it modifies complaint referral processes, ensuring that the Texas Workforce Commission cannot defer proceedings to municipalities that lack laws protecting against discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity. The changes will apply to complaints filed with the civil rights division on or after the bill's effective date of September 1, 2025.

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https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=HB729