State and federal laws have strict guidelines for how employers can treat their employees. Discrimination is one of the most concerning areas of labor and employment law, especially in today’s highly diverse workforce. State and federal laws are specific in regards to discrimination and its being unacceptable. Unfortunately, not all lawmakers agree on the exact terms of anti-discrimination law. One key examples is a Texas senator who is currently trying to remove non-discrimination protections for LGBT individuals.
Senate Bill 92 Proposes Removing LGBT Non-Discrimination Protections
Conservative Texas Senator Bob Hall, for example, is fighting laws that would ban specific discriminations against the LGBT community. Senate Bill 92 (SB 92) was proposed by Hall. If passed, would prohibit the creation of “a local law that creates a protected classification or prohibits discrimination on a basis not contained in the laws of this state”. Texas law does not include specific language addressing gender identity and sexual orientation. However, several municipalities have enacted specific laws addressing discrimination against the LGBT community.
SB 92 would prohibit counties and cities from creating local laws protecting the LGBT community specifically. It also proposes that all municipalities in Texas be prohibited from enforcing any LGBT-specific discrimination protections. In short, the law prohibits all of Texas from creating any specific anti-discrimination laws unless they fall under the specific language of current state laws.
If passed, SB 92 would effectively remove protections for the LGBT community, meaning that businesses and employers could discriminate on the basis of gender identity and sexual orientation without fear of consequences or violating the law. LGBT-specific laws currently protect around 9-million Texan’s, accounting for about one-third of our state. The Texas Association of Business (TAB) warns that anti-LGBT laws like SB 92 could cost the economy in Texas. The cost could total up to $8.5 billion, and 185,000 jobs.
Getting Help after Discrimination
Discrimination for any reason is unacceptable. If you have been discriminated against by a business or employer based on your gender, sexual orientation, age, race, disability, religion, pregnancy, or any other reason – Contact Daic Law today. At Daic Law, our labor and employment attorney can help you understand and protect your civil rights.
