87R23559 BRG-F
 
  By: Thompson of Harris, Howard, Neave, H.B. No. 4661
      Goldman, et al.
 
  Substitute the following for H.B. No. 4661:
 
  By:  Paddie C.S.H.B. No. 4661
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to sexual harassment by lobbyists.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 305.002, Government Code, is amended by
  adding Subdivision (15) to read as follows:
               (15)  "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:
                     (A)  submission to or rejection of the advance,
  request, or conduct is used as the basis for a decision in making an
  expenditure authorized by this chapter or Title 15, Election Code;
                     (B)  the advance, request, or conduct has the
  purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with the performance
  of an individual's duties as a member, officer, or employee of the
  legislature; or
                     (C)  the advance, request, or conduct has the
  purpose or effect of creating an intimidating, hostile, or
  offensive working environment for a member, officer, or employee of
  the legislature. 
         SECTION 2.  Subchapter A, Chapter 305, Government Code, is
  amended by adding Section 305.0031 to read as follows:
         Sec. 305.0031.  SEXUAL HARASSMENT TRAINING REQUIRED. (a)
  Each individual required to register under this chapter 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 written evidence of completing each program
  with the commission.
         (b)  The commission shall approve a sexual harassment
  training program for purposes of Subsection (a). 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.
         (c)  A sexual harassment training program approved by the
  commission must provide an individual with written evidence of
  completion of the program.
         SECTION 3.  Subchapter B, Chapter 305, Government Code, is
  amended by adding Section 305.0281 to read as follows:
         Sec. 305.0281.  SEXUAL HARASSMENT BY REGISTRANT PROHIBITED.
  An individual required to register under this chapter may not
  engage in conduct that constitutes sexual harassment of a member,
  officer, or employee of the legislature.
         SECTION 4.  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 305.0281.
         SECTION 5.  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 305.0281, 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 6.  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 305.0281, but does apply
  to a formal hearing held under Sections 571.129 through 571.131.
         SECTION 7.  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 305.0281; 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 shall temporarily suspend or
  restrict the person's registration for a period not to exceed 90
  days.
         (c)  Before the expiration of the temporary suspension or
  restriction under Subsection (b), the commission shall conduct a
  hearing to determine whether to continue the suspension or
  restriction.
         (d)  A hearing under Subsection (c) may be held by electronic
  means.
         SECTION 8.  (a) Not later than September 1, 2021, the Texas
  Ethics Commission shall approve at least one sexual harassment
  training program for purposes of Section 305.0031, 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 305.0031(a)(1)(A), Government Code,
  as added by this Act, not later than October 1, 2021.
         SECTION 9.  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.