Bill > HB2753

This bill enhances legal protections for individuals experiencing sexual harassment in the workplace by making several key modifications to Texas labor laws. The bill expands the definition of sexual harassment to include "abusive" working environments and strengthens protections against retaliation for individuals who report or participate in sexual harassment investigations. Critically, the bill creates a new provision allowing individuals to file civil lawsuits for sexual harassment claims without first filing a complaint with the commission, and removes previous caps on damages specifically for sexual harassment cases. The statute of limitations for sexual harassment claims is also modified, allowing individuals to file civil actions up to two years from the date the harassment occurred, even if they did not initially file a complaint with the commission. Additionally, the bill removes damage caps that previously limited compensation based on the size of the employer for sexual harassment cases, instead referring these cases to a different section of civil practice and remedies code. These changes aim to provide more comprehensive legal recourse and protections for workers experiencing sexual harassment, making it easier to seek justice and potentially deterring such behavior in the workplace. The bill will take effect on September 1, 2025, and will only apply to conduct occurring on or after that date.

Labor and Employment

https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=HB2753