workers with disabilities can sue employers over sexual assault

The text as introduced · 222 words

89R764 KKR-D

By: West
S.B. No. 220

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to an employer's civil liability under the Texas Workers'

Compensation Act for injuries sustained by certain victims of

sexual assault or abuse.

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

SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 408, Labor Code, is

amended by adding Section 408.0011 to read as follows:

Sec. 408.0011. CIVIL ACTION FOR INJURIES SUSTAINED BY

CERTAIN VICTIMS OF SEXUAL ASSAULT OR ABUSE. (a) In this section:

(1) "Developmental disability" has the meaning

assigned by Section 112.042, Human Resources Code.

(2) "Intellectual disability" has the meaning

assigned by Section 591.003, Health and Safety Code.

(3) "Sexual abuse" means conduct described by Section

21.02 or 21.11, Penal Code.

(4) "Sexual assault" means conduct described by

Section 22.011 or 22.021, Penal Code.

(b) Notwithstanding Section 408.001, an employee who is the

victim of sexual assault or abuse may bring a cause of action

against the employer if:

(1) the employee is an individual with an intellectual

or developmental disability; and

(2) the employee's injuries arose from the employer's

negligence.

SECTION 2. The change in law made by this Act applies only

to a cause of action that accrues on or after the effective date of

this Act.

SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.