By: Thompson of Harris, Howard, Neave, H.B. No. 4661
      Goldman, et al.
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to sexual harassment by lobbyists and certain elected or
  appointed state officers.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 571.1211(3), Government Code, is amended
  to read as follows:
               (3)  "Category Two violation" means:
                     (A)  a violation of a law within the jurisdiction
  of the commission that is not a Category One violation; or
                     (B)  a violation of Section 572.103.
         SECTION 2.  Subchapter E, Chapter 571, Government Code, is
  amended by adding Section 571.1261 to read as follows:
         Sec. 571.1261.  EXPEDITED PROCESS FOR SEXUAL HARASSMENT
  COMPLAINT. (a) Notwithstanding any other law, not later than the
  180th day after the date a complaint is filed with the commission
  alleging a violation of Section 572.103, the commission shall
  complete a preliminary review and, if necessary, conduct a formal
  hearing regarding the complaint.
         (b)  A formal hearing under this section may be conducted by
  electronic means.
         SECTION 3.  Section 571.139(b), Government Code, is amended
  to read as follows:
         (b)  Chapter 551 does not apply to the processing,
  preliminary review, preliminary review hearing, or resolution of a
  sworn complaint or motion, or to a formal hearing regarding a
  complaint alleging a violation of Section 572.103, but does apply
  to a formal hearing held under Sections 571.129 through 571.131.
         SECTION 4.  Section 571.174, Government Code, is amended to
  read as follows:
         Sec. 571.174.  DENIAL, SUSPENSION, OR REVOCATION OF LOBBYIST
  REGISTRATION. (a) The [After a criminal conviction for an offense
  under Chapter 36 of the Penal Code or under Chapter 305, the]
  commission may deny, suspend, or revoke the registration of a
  person required to be registered under Chapter 305 if:
               (1)  the commission issues an order finding that the
  person violated Section 572.103; or
               (2)  the person is convicted of an offense under
  Chapter 36, Penal Code, or Chapter 305.
         (b)  If a person required to register under Chapter 305 is
  charged with an offense under Section 22.011, 22.012, or 22.021,
  Penal Code, the executive director may, after notice and an
  opportunity for a hearing before the commission, temporarily
  suspend or restrict the person's registration for a period not to
  exceed 90 days.
         (c)  A hearing under Subsection (b) may be held by electronic
  means.
         SECTION 5.  Chapter 572, Government Code, is amended by
  adding Subchapter D to read as follows:
  SUBCHAPTER D. SEXUAL HARASSMENT
         Sec. 572.101.  DEFINITION. In this subchapter, "sexual
  harassment" means an unwelcome sexual advance, a request for a
  sexual favor, or any other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual
  nature if:
               (1)  submission to or rejection of the advance,
  request, or conduct is used as the basis for a decision in making an
  expenditure authorized by Chapter 305 of this code or Title 15,
  Election Code;
               (2)  the advance, request, or conduct has the purpose
  or effect of creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive
  working environment; or
               (3)  the advance, request, or conduct unreasonably
  interferes with a person's exercise or enjoyment of any right,
  privilege, power, or immunity, either explicitly or implicitly.
         Sec. 572.102.  SEXUAL HARASSMENT TRAINING REQUIRED. (a)
  Each member of the legislature, official holding an elected
  statewide executive branch office, or individual elected to the
  legislature or elected to or appointed to a statewide executive
  branch office shall:
               (1)  complete a sexual harassment training program
  approved by the commission not later than the 60th day after each
  uniform election date in November; and
               (2)  file with the commission written evidence of
  completing the program on a form prescribed by the commission.
         (b)  An individual required to register under Chapter 305
  shall:
               (1)  complete:
                     (A)  an initial sexual harassment training
  program approved by the commission not later than the 30th day after
  the date the individual files an initial registration under Section
  305.005; and
                     (B)  an additional sexual harassment training
  program approved by the commission not later than each two-year
  anniversary of the deadline under Paragraph (A); and
               (2)  file with the commission written evidence of
  completing each program on a form prescribed by the commission.
         (c)  The commission shall approve one or more sexual
  harassment training programs for purposes of Subsections (a) and
  (b). The commission may approve a sexual harassment training
  program that is made available by a house of the legislature to
  members, officers, and employees of that house.
         (d)  A sexual harassment training program approved by the
  commission must provide an individual with written evidence of
  completion of the program on a form prescribed by the commission.
         (e)  A sexual harassment training program approved by the
  commission may be offered online or in person.
         Sec. 572.103.  SEXUAL HARASSMENT PROHIBITED. Each member of
  the legislature, official holding an elected statewide executive
  branch office, individual elected to the legislature or elected to
  or appointed to a statewide executive branch office, or individual
  required to register under Chapter 305 may not intentionally or
  knowingly engage in conduct that constitutes sexual harassment.
         SECTION 6.  (a) Not later than September 1, 2021, the Texas
  Ethics Commission shall approve at least one sexual harassment
  training program for purposes of Section 572.102, Government Code,
  as added by this Act.
         (b)  An individual who, on September 1, 2021, is registered
  under Chapter 305, Government Code, shall complete the initial
  training required by Section 572.102(b)(1)(A), Government Code, as
  added by this Act, not later than October 1, 2021.
         SECTION 7.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
  a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
  provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this
  Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
  Act takes effect September 1, 2021.