Bill Text: TX HB393 | 2019-2020 | 86th Legislature | Introduced


Bill Title: Relating to certain unlawful employment practices regarding compensation.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2019-02-25 - Left pending in committee [HB393 Detail]

Download: Texas-2019-HB393-Introduced.html
  86R108 JSC-D
 
  By: Blanco H.B. No. 393
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to certain unlawful employment practices regarding
  compensation.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subtitle A, Title 2, Labor Code, is amended by
  adding Chapter 24 to read as follows:
  CHAPTER 24. UNLAWFUL EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES REGARDING COMPENSATION
         Sec. 24.001.  DEFINITIONS.  In this chapter:
               (1)  "Applicant" means a person who has made an oral or
  written application with an employer, or has sent a resume or other
  correspondence to an employer, indicating an interest in
  employment.
               (2)  "Commission" means the Texas Workforce
  Commission.
               (3)  "Employer" has the meaning assigned by Section
  21.002.
               (4)  "Fringe benefit" has the meaning assigned by
  Section 215.001.
               (5)  "Wage history information" means information on
  wages and fringe benefits.
               (6)  "Wages" has the meaning assigned by Section
  61.001.
         Sec. 24.002.  EMPLOYER INQUIRY INTO AND CONSIDERATION OF
  WAGE HISTORY INFORMATION. (a) An employer commits an unlawful
  employment practice in violation of this chapter if the employer:
               (1)  includes a question regarding an applicant's wage
  history information on an employment application form;
               (2)  inquires into an applicant's wage history
  information;
               (3)  considers an applicant's wage history information
  in determining:
                     (A)  whether to hire the applicant; or
                     (B)  the wages to be paid to the applicant or the
  fringe benefits to be provided in connection with the applicant's
  employment; or
               (4)  obtains an applicant's wage history information
  from a previous employer of the applicant or other source, unless
  the wages in that previous employment position are subject to
  disclosure under Chapter 552, Government Code.
         (b)  Notwithstanding Subsection (a)(3)(B), if an applicant
  voluntarily discloses the applicant's wage history information to
  an employer, the employer may consider that information in
  determining the applicant's wages and fringe benefits.
         Sec. 24.003.  EMPLOYER PROVISION OF PAY SCALE.  On
  reasonable request, an employer shall provide to an applicant a pay
  scale for the employment position for which the applicant is
  applying.
         Sec. 24.004.  RETALIATION PROHIBITED. An employer commits
  an unlawful employment practice in violation of this chapter if the
  employer takes an adverse action or otherwise discriminates against
  a person because the person has:
               (1)  opposed an act or practice made unlawful by this
  chapter;
               (2)  sought to enforce rights protected under this
  chapter; or
               (3)  testified, assisted, or participated in any manner
  in an investigation, hearing, or other proceeding to enforce this
  chapter.
         Sec. 24.005.  COMPLAINT; ENFORCEMENT. (a) A person
  aggrieved by an unlawful employment practice under this chapter may
  file a complaint with the commission in the manner provided under
  Chapter 21. A complaint filed under this section is subject to
  Subchapters E and F, Chapter 21.
         (b)  The commission shall enforce this chapter in accordance
  with Chapter 21.
         SECTION 2.  The changes in law made by this Act apply only to
  an unlawful employment practice that occurs on or after January 1,
  2020.
         SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect January 1, 2020.
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