H.B. No. 1609 introduces new provisions to the Texas Labor Code, specifically adding Chapter 24, which addresses employment discrimination against employees who are volunteer emergency responders. The bill prohibits employers from terminating, suspending, or discriminating against these employees if they are absent or late due to their response to a declared disaster. It defines key terms such as "volunteer emergency responder," "declared disaster," and "employer," and establishes that an employee can only be absent for up to 14 days in a calendar year without employer approval. Additionally, it requires employees to notify their employers of potential absences and provides guidelines for verification of participation in disaster response activities.

The bill also outlines the rights of employees whose employment is wrongfully terminated or suspended, entitling them to reinstatement, compensation for lost wages, and restoration of benefits. Furthermore, it allows employees to bring civil actions against employers for violations of these provisions, with specific timelines for filing such actions. The new chapter will apply only to causes of action that accrue on or after the effective date of the Act, which is set for September 1, 2025.

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