H.B. No. 715 seeks to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in public accommodations and employment by introducing a new Chapter 100B to the Civil Practice and Remedies Code. This chapter defines key terms such as "aggrieved person," "discriminatory practice," "gender identity," and "sexual orientation," allowing individuals who believe they have been discriminated against to file civil actions in district court. If discrimination is found, courts may award damages, attorney's fees, and other appropriate relief. The bill also exempts religious organizations from these provisions unless they engage in profit-making activities subject to federal taxation.

Additionally, the bill amends the Labor Code to include sexual orientation and gender identity as protected categories against discrimination in employment practices, requiring state contractors to adopt non-discriminatory policies and imposing administrative penalties for non-compliance. It updates various sections of the Labor Code to explicitly include these categories alongside existing protections, while removing references to age and disability in some instances. The bill ensures that complaints regarding discrimination cannot be deferred to municipalities lacking corresponding laws, and it establishes that these changes will take effect on September 1, 2025, applying to conduct occurring on or after that date.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Labor Code 21.002, 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 21.113, 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, Property Code 301.003, Property Code 301.021, Property Code 301.022, Property Code 301.023, Property Code 301.024, Property Code 301.026, Property Code 301.027, Property Code 301.042, Property Code 301.068, Property Code 301.171 (Labor Code 21, Property Code 301)