H.B. No. 170 introduces Chapter 101A to the Business & Commerce Code in Texas, establishing regulations against discrimination in public accommodations. The bill defines key terms such as "discriminatory practice," "public accommodation," "gender identity," and "sexual orientation," and prohibits discriminatory actions based on various characteristics, including race, color, disability, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, and military veteran status. It exempts certain establishments, like private clubs and religious organizations not open to the public, from these regulations. The bill also outlines a framework for filing complaints, empowering the Texas Workforce Commission to investigate and seek temporary injunctive relief, while encouraging alternative dispute resolution methods.

Furthermore, the bill amends the Labor Code to enhance protections against discrimination in employment by adding "sexual orientation," "gender identity," and "status as a military veteran" to the list of protected categories. It establishes a new subchapter on judicial enforcement, allowing the commission to take civil actions against discriminatory practices after unsuccessful conciliation efforts. The bill clarifies that unlawful employment practices include discrimination based on the newly added categories and reinforces prohibitions in housing transactions. It specifies that these changes will apply only to conduct occurring on or after September 1, 2025, ensuring that prior complaints are governed by existing laws.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Labor Code 21.002, Labor Code 21.005, Labor Code 21.051, Labor Code 21.052, Labor Code 21.053, Labor Code 21.054, Labor Code 21.059, Labor Code 21.102, Labor Code 21.112, Labor Code 21.113, Labor Code 21.120, Labor Code 21.122, Labor Code 21.124, Labor Code 21.125, Labor Code 21.126, Labor Code 21.152, Labor Code 21.155, Property Code 301.003, Property Code 301.021, Property Code 301.022, Property Code 301.023, Property Code 301.024, Property Code 301.026, Property Code 301.027, Property Code 301.042, Property Code 301.068, Property Code 301.171 (Labor Code 21, Property Code 301)