With only a few weeks left in the 2009 Texas legislative session, here is an update on the status of several bills to watch for Texas employers.   To see a bill’s current status, click on the links below that are updated by the Texas legislature.

• HB 32  Prohibiting discrimination against employees of workers’ compensation nonsubscribers who sustain an injury in the course and scope of their employment.  (Update:  Left pending in subcomittee).
• HB 183  A bill to link the Texas minimum wage to the federal minimum wage.  (Update:  No action taken in subcommittee).
• HB 226 Prohibits an employer from discriminating against an employee that has refused to participate in an employer’s charitable deduction campaign.   (Update:  No action taken in subcommittee).
• HB 978  To amend, and greatly expand, prohibited disability discrimination under the Texas Commission on Human Rights Act. (Update:  Passed in the House).
• SB 730 prohibits an employer from implementing policies prohibiting employees from keeping legal firearms and ammunition in locked vehicles on the employer’s parking lot.  (Update:  Committee reports sent to calenders). 
• SB 986 To extend the statute of limitations for discrimination claims alleging discrimination in the payment of compensation.  State law equivalent of the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act.  (Update:  Referred to Business and Commerce Committee). 
• HB 615 Permitting employees with a child enrolled in a special education program and having at least one year tenure with the employer take 10 hours per year of unpaid leave to meet with certain school officials.  (Update:  Subcommittee members named).
• HB 1005 Requiring employers to provide employees employed at least 90 days to take up to 40 hours per year unpaid leave to meet with teachers or attend to certain school events, ceremonies or meetings. The bill also contains anti-retaliation provisions.  (See also SB 649).  (Update:  Subcommittee members named).
• HB 1057 Permitting employees with at least 6 months service to take not less than 2 weeks accrued paid leave for the birth or placement of adoption of a child.  Employees of employers that do not provide paid leave, who have insufficient paid leave or are ineligible for leave are entitled to between 2 and 6 unemployment benefits.  The bill does not mandate the creation of any leave programs but does provide a right to reinstatement for employees that utilize leave under this proposed law.  (See also SB 692).   (Update:  Subcommittee members named).
• SB 60   Requires employers to provide for unpaid time off to employees who are the victims of certain violent crimes to attend court proceedings.  The bill also provides a civil cause of action, damages and anti-retaliation provisions for violations.  (Update:  Referred to Business and Commerce Committee). 
• HB 538 Prohibits discrimination in employment on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity or expression.  (Update:  Referred to State Affairs Committee).