88S40073 RDS-D
 
  By: Tepper H.B. No. 14
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the implementation of diversity, equity, and inclusion
  initiatives by certain governmental entities.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subtitle A, Title 6, Government Code, is amended
  by adding Chapter 621 to read as follows:
  CHAPTER 621. PROHIBITION ON CERTAIN DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND
  INCLUSION INITIATIVES
         Sec. 621.001.  DEFINITIONS. In this chapter:
               (1)  "Diversity, equity, and inclusion office" means an
  office, division, or other unit of a governmental entity
  established for the purpose of:
                     (A)  influencing hiring or employment practices
  at the entity with respect to race, sex, color, or ethnicity, other
  than through the use of color-blind and sex-neutral hiring
  processes in accordance with any applicable state and federal
  antidiscrimination laws;
                     (B)  promoting differential treatment or
  providing special benefits to individuals on the basis of race,
  sex, color, or ethnicity;
                     (C)  promoting policies or procedures designed or
  implemented in reference to race, color, or ethnicity, other than
  policies or procedures implemented for the purpose of ensuring
  compliance with any applicable federal law; or
                     (D)  conducting trainings, programs, or
  activities designed or implemented in reference to race, color,
  ethnicity, gender identity, or sexual orientation, other than
  trainings, programs, or activities conducted for the purpose of
  ensuring compliance with any applicable court order or state or
  federal law.
               (2)  "Governmental entity" has the meaning assigned by
  Section 620.001, Government Code, except that the term also
  includes a school district or open-enrollment charter school.
         Sec. 621.002.  APPLICABILITY OF CHAPTER. This chapter does
  not apply to an institution of higher education.
         Sec. 621.003.  RESPONSIBILITY OF GOVERNMENTAL ENTITY
  REGARDING DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION INITIATIVES.  (a)  A
  governmental entity shall ensure that each unit of the entity:
               (1)  does not, except as required by federal law:
                     (A)  establish or maintain a diversity, equity,
  and inclusion office;
                     (B)  hire or assign an employee of the entity or
  contract with a third party to perform the duties of a diversity,
  equity, and inclusion office;
                     (C)  compel, require, induce, or solicit any
  person to provide a diversity, equity, and inclusion statement or
  give preferential consideration to any person based on the
  provision of a diversity, equity, and inclusion statement;
                     (D)  give preference on the basis of race, sex,
  color, ethnicity, or national origin to an applicant for
  employment, an employee, or a participant in any function of the
  entity; or
                     (E)  require as a condition of employment any
  person to participate in diversity, equity, and inclusion training,
  which:
                           (i)  includes a training, program, or
  activity designed or implemented in reference to race, color,
  ethnicity, gender identity, or sexual orientation; and
                           (ii)  does not include a training, program,
  or activity developed for the purpose of ensuring compliance with
  any applicable federal law; and
               (2)  adopts policies and procedures for appropriately
  disciplining, including by termination, an employee or contractor
  of the entity who engages in conduct in violation of Subdivision
  (1).
         (b)  Subsection (a)(1) may not be construed to apply to: 
               (1)  academic course instruction;
               (2)  scholarly research or a creative work by a school
  district's or open-enrollment charter school's students or faculty;
               (3)  an activity of a student organization registered
  with or recognized by a school district or open-enrollment charter
  school;
               (4)  guest speakers or performers on short-term
  engagements; 
               (5)  a program or activity to enhance student academic
  achievement or postgraduate outcomes that allows participation
  without regard to race, sex, color, or ethnicity; or 
               (6)  data collection.
         (c)  An employee of a governmental entity who is required to
  participate in training in violation of Subsection (a)(1)(E) may
  bring an action against the entity for injunctive and declaratory
  relief.
         SECTION 2.  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 on the 91st day after the last day of the
  legislative session.