House Bill No. 1609 introduces a new chapter in the Texas Labor Code that prohibits employment discrimination against employees who are volunteer emergency responders. The bill defines key terms such as "emergency," "employer," "employee," and "volunteer emergency responder," and establishes that employers cannot terminate, suspend, or discriminate against these employees for being absent or late due to their volunteer duties during emergencies. However, it also stipulates that such employees cannot be absent for more than 14 days in a calendar year without employer approval.

Additionally, the bill outlines the responsibilities of volunteer emergency responders to notify their employers of potential absences and provides guidelines for wage reductions or the use of leave time during authorized absences. It also establishes the rights of employees whose employment is wrongfully terminated or suspended under this chapter, including reinstatement and compensation for lost wages. Employees are granted the right to bring civil actions against employers for violations of this chapter, with specific provisions regarding the timeline for such actions. The law will take effect on September 1, 2025.

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