Bill > HB4415

This bill expands legal protections for workers who experience employment discrimination in connection with workers' compensation claims by modifying existing Texas labor law. The bill broadens the existing provision that allows first responders to sue their governmental employers for discrimination to now include all public employees. Specifically, the bill removes language limiting the provision to just first responders and adds definitions for key terms like "first responder" (as defined in the Government Code), "local governmental entity," "public employee," and "state governmental entity." The legislation waives sovereign immunity for state and local governmental entities, allowing public employees and first responders to sue their employers for discrimination related to workers' compensation claims. The changes will apply only to causes of action that accrue on or after the bill's effective date of September 1, 2025, meaning the new legal protections will not be retroactive but will apply to future discrimination cases.

Labor and Employment

https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=HB4415