Harrison Bill Extends Vaccine Mandate Ban To Customers And Visitors

The text as introduced · 428 words

By: Harrison
H.B. No. 383

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to prohibiting a private employer from adopting or

enforcing COVID-19 vaccine mandates; authorizing an administrative

penalty.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Section 81D.001, Health and Safety Code, is

amended to read as follows:

(1) "Adverse action" means an action taken by an

employer that a reasonable person would consider was for the

purpose of punishing, alienating, or otherwise adversely affecting

[ an employee, contractor, applicant for employment, or applicant

for a contract position ] a person .

SECTION 2. Section 81D.002, Health and Safety Code, is

amended to read as follows:

Sec. 81D.002. EMPLOYER CORONAVIRUS VACCINE MANDATES

PROHIBITED. An employer may not adopt or enforce a mandate

[ requiring an employee, contractor, applicant for employment, or

applicant for a contract position to be vaccinated against

COVID-19 ] requiring a person to be vaccinated against COVID-19 for

any reason, including as a condition of employment , [ or ] a contract

position , or admission .

SECTION 3. Section 81D.003, Health and Safety Code, is

amended to read as follows:

Sec. 81D.003. PROHIBITED ADVERSE ACTION BY EMPLOYER. An

employer may not take an adverse action against [ an employee,

contractor, applicant for employment, or applicant for a contract

position ] a person for a refusal to be vaccinated against COVID-19.

SECTION 4. Section 81D.004, Health and Safety Code, is

amended to read as follows:

Sec. 81D.004. COMPLAINT; INVESTIGATION. (a) [ An employee,

contractor, applicant for employment, or applicant for a contract

position ] A person against whom an employer took an adverse action

in violation of this chapter may file a complaint with the

commission in the form and manner prescribed by commission rules.

SECTION 5. The change in law made by this Act applies only

to conduct or an adverse action that occurs on or after the

effective date of this Act.

SECTION 6. If any provision of this Act or its application

to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the invalidity does

not affect other provisions or applications of this Act that can be

given effect without the invalid provision or application, and to

this end the provisions of this Act are declared severable.

SECTION 7. 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 September 1, 2025.