Bill: HB 621, 86(R) - 2019

Committee

House Business & Industry

Vote Recommendation

Vote Recommendation Economic Freedom Property Rights Personal Responsibility Limited Government Individual Liberty
Neutral Neutral Neutral Neutral Neutral Neutral

Author(s)

Victoria Neave

Bill Caption

Relating to prohibited adverse employment action against an employee who in good faith reports child abuse or neglect.

Fiscal Notes

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.


Bill Analysis

Current law prohibits an employer from terminating or discriminating against a professional who in good faith reports child abuse or neglect. Current law allows a professional terminated or discriminated against for making a good faith report of child abuse to sue for injunctive relief, damages, or both.

HB 621 would expand the statute to also prohibit adverse employment action against a professional who in good faith reports child abuse or neglect. The existing cause of action would be expanded to allow such a person to also sue for injunctive relief, damages, or both.

For the purposes of this statute, the term "professional" means "an individual who is licensed or certified by the state or who is an employee of a facility licensed, certified, or operated by the state and who, in the normal course of official duties or duties for which a license or certification is required, has direct contact with children. The term includes teachers, nurses, doctors, day-care employees, employees of a clinic or health care facility that provides reproductive services, juvenile probation officers, and juvenile detention or correctional officers."

Vote Recommendation Notes

This legislation does not appear to affect our liberty principles and we remain neutral. 


Source URL (retrieved on 03/28/2024 02:03 PM): http://reports.texasaction.com/bill/86r/hb621?print_view=true