SRC-SEW H.B. 2260 77(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   H.B. 2260
7710491 SMJ-DBy: Danburg (Zaffirini)
Intergovernmental Relations
5/10/2001
Engrossed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Currently, public employees who are pregnant can take leave from work under
several state and federal provisions when they no are longer capable of
performing their jobs. However, there is no provision for law enforcement
officers who are only partially physically restricted due to pregnancy.
Municipal and county employees may have been ordered by a physician to not
continue working at their regular assignment, but they may still be able to
perform in another less strenuous work assignment. In the case of a law
enforcement officer, once a physician certifies that the officer should no
longer perform patrol functions, the officer may be able to continue to
work in a desk or dispatch assignment. H.B. 2260 requires a municipality or
county to make a reasonable effort to accommodate the employment needs of
pregnant municipal and county employees.  

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a
state officer, institution, or agency. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Chapter 180, Local Government Code, by adding Section
180.004, as follows: 

Sec. 180.004.  WORKING CONDITIONS FOR PREGNANT EMPLOYEES. (a)  Defines
"office." 

(b)  Requires a municipality or a county to make a reasonable effort to
accommodate an employee of the municipality or county who is determined by
a physician to be partially physically restricted by a pregnancy. 

(c)  Requires the office supervisor who is responsible for personnel
decisions, if the physician of a municipal or county employee certifies
that the employee is unable to perform the duties of the employee's
permanent work assignment as a result of the employee's pregnancy and if a
temporary work assignment that the employee may perform is available in the
same office, to assign the employee to the temporary work assignment. 
 
SECTION 2.  Effective date:  September 1, 2001.