| TO: | Honorable Byron Cook, Chair, House Committee on Civil Practices |
| FROM: | John S. O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board |
| IN RE: | HB706 by Thompson (Relating to equal access to places of public accommodation.), As Introduced |
The bill would amend the Civil Practice and Remedies Code relating to equal access to places of public accommodation. The bill would prohibit operators of public accommodations from restricting access to individuals based on race, creed, sex, religion or national origin, or because the individual operates a motorcycle, belongs to a motorcycle group or wears clothing displaying the name of an association or organization. The bill would permit the operators of public accommodation to prohibit access to persons whose conduct poses a threat or whose clothing is not in conformity with a dress code that is reasonable, and that is not designed to exclude the aforementioned groups. According to the Office of the Attorney General (OAG), the bill as proposed is not likely to result in new investigations, complaints or cases at the OAG. To the extent the bill would set guidelines for operators of public accommodations, no significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would take effect September 1, 2007.
| Source Agencies: | 212 Office of Court Administration, Texas Judicial Council, 302 Office of the Attorney General
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| LBB Staff: | JOB, MN, ZS, TB
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