House Bill No. 1601 introduces comprehensive amendments to the Civil Practice and Remedies Code, Education Code, Estates Code, Family Code, and Property Code, focusing on enhancing protections against discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity or expression. The bill establishes Chapter 100B, which defines key terms and prohibits discriminatory practices in public accommodations, allowing individuals to seek legal recourse if they believe they have been harmed. It also mandates that school districts implement measures to prevent discrimination and harassment, provide staff training, and report incidents. Additionally, the bill updates marriage laws to be inclusive of same-sex couples by removing gender-specific language and introducing a definition for "civil union," which offers legal protections similar to marriage.

Furthermore, the bill amends custody and possession regulations to ensure equitable rights for conservators, regardless of gender, and expands the list of protected classes in housing-related transactions to include sexual orientation and gender identity or expression. It prohibits various forms of discrimination in real estate transactions and ensures that complaints cannot be deferred to municipalities lacking relevant anti-discrimination laws. The bill also repeals conflicting existing laws and sets an effective date for most provisions on September 1, 2025, with some sections potentially taking effect immediately upon legislative approval. Overall, the bill aims to modernize legal frameworks and promote inclusivity and fairness across various aspects of law in Texas.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Education Code 12.104, Estates Code 121.151, Estates Code 1104.001, Family Code 2.001, Family Code 2.004, Family Code 2.401, Family Code 2.402, Family Code 3.401, Family Code 6.104, Family Code 6.202, Family Code 6.203, Family Code 6.704, Family Code 101.024, Family Code 108.009, Family Code 152.310, Family Code 153.312, Family Code 153.313, Family Code 159.316, Family Code 162.014, Government Code 24.601, Government Code 573.025, Health and Safety Code 85.007, Health and Safety Code 21.06, Occupations Code 21.06, Penal Code 21.11, 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 (Occupations Code 21, Family Code 2, Health and Safety Code 85, Family Code 159, Government Code 24, Family Code 101, Family Code 162, Family Code 3, Penal Code 21, Education Code 12, Government Code 573, Property Code 301, Family Code 152, Estates Code 1104, Family Code 108, Health and Safety Code 21, Estates Code 121, Family Code 153, Family Code 6)