The bill amends various sections of the Labor Code to strengthen protections against unlawful employment practices related to sexual harassment. Key changes include the definition of retaliation, which now explicitly includes actions taken against individuals who oppose discriminatory practices or participate in investigations related to sexual harassment. Additionally, the bill introduces a new section allowing individuals to file civil actions for damages arising from sexual harassment without the requirement of having filed a complaint with the commission, thereby streamlining the process for victims seeking justice.

Furthermore, the bill modifies the statute of limitations for civil actions related to sexual harassment, allowing claims to be filed within two years of the unlawful conduct rather than the date a complaint is filed. It also establishes that the cap on compensatory and punitive damages does not apply to civil actions based on sexual harassment, thus potentially increasing the financial remedies available to victims. The changes will take effect on September 1, 2025, and will only apply to claims based on conduct occurring after that date.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Labor Code 21.055, Labor Code 21.141, Labor Code 21.254, Labor Code 21.256, Labor Code 21.2585 (Labor Code 21)