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By: Middleton |
S.B. No. 2713 |
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(In the Senate - Filed March 13, 2025; April 3, 2025, read |
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first time and referred to Committee on State Affairs; May 5, 2025, |
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reported adversely, with favorable Committee Substitute by the |
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following vote: Yeas 9, Nays 1; May 5, 2025, sent to printer.) |
| Click here to see the committee vote |
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COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR S.B. No. 2713 |
By: Bettencourt |
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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to preventing discrimination in membership in a |
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professional or trade association. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subtitle C, Title 5, Business & Commerce Code, is |
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amended by adding Chapter 121 to read as follows: |
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CHAPTER 121. DISCRIMINATION BY PROFESSIONAL OR TRADE ASSOCIATION |
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PROHIBITED |
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Sec. 121.001. DENIAL OF MEMBERSHIP OR SERVICES. A |
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professional or trade association may not deny a person access to or |
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membership or participation in the association because of race, |
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color, religion, sex, disability, familial status, or national |
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origin or because of the person's exercise of the person's freedom |
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of speech or assembly, notwithstanding any provision of the |
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association's bylaws. |
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Sec. 121.002. PRIVATE CAUSE OF ACTION. (a) A person |
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aggrieved by a violation of Section 121.001 may bring an action |
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against the professional or trade association for injunctive relief |
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or damages. |
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(b) The court may award court costs and reasonable |
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attorney's fees to the prevailing party in an action brought under |
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this section. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025. |
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