87S30101 RDS-D
 
  By: Harris H.B. No. 119
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the enforceability of a covenant not to compete with
  respect to certain employees discharged from employment for refusal
  or failure to receive a COVID-19 vaccination.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 15.50, Business & Commerce Code, is
  amended by amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (d) to
  read as follows:
         (a)  Notwithstanding Section 15.05 of this code, and subject
  to any applicable provision of Subsection (b) or (d), a covenant not
  to compete is enforceable if it is ancillary to or part of an
  otherwise enforceable agreement at the time the agreement is made
  to the extent that it contains limitations as to time, geographical
  area, and scope of activity to be restrained that are reasonable and
  do not impose a greater restraint than is necessary to protect the
  goodwill or other business interest of the promisee.
         (d)  A covenant not to compete between an employee and an
  employer is not enforceable against an employee who is discharged
  from employment with the employer solely because the employee
  refused or failed to receive a COVID-19 vaccination required by the
  employer. For purposes of this subsection:
               (1)  "COVID-19" means the 2019 novel coronavirus
  disease.
               (2)  "Employee" means an individual who is employed by
  an employer for compensation.
               (3)  "Employer" means a person who employs one or more
  employees.
         SECTION 2.  The change in law made by this Act applies only
  to a covenant not to compete that is ancillary to or part of an
  agreement entered into on or after the effective date of this Act.
  A covenant not to compete that is ancillary to or part of an
  agreement entered into before the effective date of this Act is
  governed by the law in effect at the time the agreement was entered
  into, and that law is continued in effect for that purpose.
         SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect on the 91st day after the
  last day of the legislative session.