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. Notably, it introduces definitions for "ancestry" and "caste," and adds these categories to existing anti-discrimination provisions, replacing the previous exclusion of age as a protected characteristic. The bill also prohibits discriminatory practices in employment, educational admissions, and housing transactions, ensuring that individuals cannot be denied opportunities or subjected to unfair treatment based on their caste or ancestry. The act 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 (Property Code 4, Education Code 3, Labor Code 2)