The bill, H.B. No. 302, seeks to amend the Texas Labor Code to prohibit employment discrimination based on reproductive decisions, expanding the existing list of protected categories. Specifically, it adds "reproductive decisions" to the list of factors that cannot be used for discrimination by employers, employment agencies, and labor organizations. The bill also clarifies that discrimination includes various aspects related to reproductive health, such as marital status during pregnancy, the use of assisted reproduction, contraception, and other reproductive health services. Additionally, it mandates that employers include information about this prohibition in employee handbooks and renders any mandatory arbitration agreements that limit reproductive decisions void.

Furthermore, the bill removes the previous exclusions of "age" from certain sections of the Labor Code while adding "reproductive decisions" to various provisions, ensuring comprehensive protection against discrimination. The changes apply to claims of discrimination based on conduct occurring on or after the effective date of the Act, which is set for September 1, 2025. The bill aims to enhance workplace protections and promote equality for individuals making reproductive choices.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Labor Code 21.051, Labor Code 21.052, Labor Code 21.053, Labor Code 21.054, Labor Code 21.059, Labor Code 21.102, Labor Code 21.112, Labor Code 21.120, Labor Code 21.122, Labor Code 21.124, Labor Code 21.125, Labor Code 21.126, Labor Code 21.152, Labor Code 21.155 (Labor Code 21)