H.B. No. 5373 is a legislative bill aimed at prohibiting caste-based discrimination in Texas, ensuring equal protections under state law. The bill recognizes the harmful impact of caste discrimination on individuals and communities, affirming Texas's commitment to equality and protection against all forms of discrimination. It specifically addresses discrimination in hiring, workplaces, educational institutions, and housing, thereby broadening the scope of protected categories to include "caste" and "ancestry."

To implement these protections, the bill amends various sections of the Labor and Property Codes, adding definitions for "caste" and "ancestry" and incorporating these terms into existing anti-discrimination provisions. For instance, it modifies the Labor Code to include caste and ancestry alongside race, color, disability, religion, sex, national origin, and age as grounds for unlawful employment practices. Similarly, the Property Code is amended to prohibit discrimination in housing based on these new categories. The bill is set to take effect on September 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Labor Code 2.01, Labor Code 2.02, Labor Code 2.03, Labor Code 2.04, Labor Code 2.05, Labor Code 2.06, Education Code 3.01, Property Code 4.01, Property Code 4.02, Property Code 4.03, Property Code 4.04, Property Code 4.05, Property Code 4.06, Property Code 4.07 (Labor Code 2, Education Code 3, Property Code 4)