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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to civil liability for discriminatory false reports to law |
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enforcement agencies or emergency service providers. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Title 4, Civil Practice and Remedies Code, is |
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amended by adding Chapter 100B to read as follows: |
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CHAPTER 100B. LIABILITY FOR DISCRIMINATION |
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Sec. 100B.001. LIABILITY FOR DISCRIMINATORY FALSE REPORTS |
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TO LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES AND EMERGENCY SERVICE PROVIDERS. (a) A |
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person who submits a false report to a law enforcement agency or |
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emergency service provider, with the intent that the law |
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enforcement agency or emergency service provider take action |
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against a falsely accused person, is liable to the falsely accused |
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person for an amount not to exceed $250 if the report was submitted |
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due to bias or prejudice against the falsely accused person's race, |
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color, disability, religion, national origin or ancestry, age, |
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gender, sexual orientation, or gender identity. |
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(b) If a falsely accused person prevails in an action |
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brought under Subsection (a), the person may recover attorney's |
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fees and costs incurred in bringing the action. |
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SECTION 2. Section 100B.001, Civil Practice and Remedies |
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Code, as added by this Act, applies only to a cause of action that |
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accrues on or after the effective date of this Act. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023. |