The Texas Antidiscrimination Act, introduced as H.B. No. 5135, aims to prohibit discrimination by governmental entities based on immutable characteristics such as race, sex, color, and ethnicity. The bill adds Chapter 621 to Subtitle A, Title 6 of the Government Code, which outlines the legislative findings and purpose of the act, emphasizing the importance of equal rights as enshrined in the Texas Constitution. It defines key terms such as "discriminatory office" and "diversity, equity, and inclusion," and establishes that governmental entities cannot engage in practices that promote differential treatment or establish offices aimed at influencing hiring or employment practices based on these characteristics.

The bill also sets forth specific prohibitions against governmental entities, including the establishment of discriminatory offices, hiring practices that favor certain groups based on race or sex, and the use of taxpayer funds for diversity, equity, and inclusion programs. It mandates that governmental entities adopt policies to discipline employees who violate these provisions and outlines enforcement mechanisms, including the ability for individuals to file complaints with the attorney general. If a political subdivision is found to be non-compliant, it may face penalties such as withholding of tax revenue until compliance is restored. The act is set to take effect immediately upon a two-thirds vote or on September 1, 2025, if that threshold is not met.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: ()