The proposed bill, H.B. No. 302, seeks to amend the Texas Labor Code to prohibit employment discrimination based on reproductive decisions, alongside existing categories such as race, color, disability, religion, sex, national origin, and age. Key amendments include the insertion of "reproductive decisions" into various sections of the Labor Code, specifically Sections 21.051, 21.052, 21.053, and others, which outline unlawful employment practices by employers, employment agencies, and labor organizations. Additionally, the bill introduces a new section, 21.1061, which defines discrimination based on reproductive decisions and voids any employment agreements that limit such decisions.

The bill also mandates that employers include information about the prohibition of discrimination based on reproductive decisions in employee handbooks. It clarifies that discrimination can occur due to various reproductive-related factors, including marital status during pregnancy, use of assisted reproduction, contraception, and other reproductive health services. The legislation is set to take effect on September 1, 2025, and applies to claims of discrimination based on conduct occurring on or after that date, while certain provisions regarding agreements will apply retroactively.

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)