Texas Senate Bill SB56

Texas 2019 - 86th Regular

Caption

Relating to employment discrimination training for members of the legislature and state or legislative employees and interns.

Impact

The implementation of SB56 would directly influence how state employees and legislative staff are educated on discrimination issues, promoting a more inclusive working atmosphere within the legislature. By mandating training within a defined timeframe, the bill aims to address ingrained issues of discrimination and harassment proactively. This could potentially reduce incidents of workplace discrimination and improve overall morale among staff and interns who feel protected and informed.

Summary

Senate Bill 56 aims to establish mandatory employment discrimination training for members of the legislature, legislative employees, and unpaid interns. This bill amends existing laws to require each house of the legislature to create a structured training program focused on policies and procedures relating to employment discrimination, including sexual harassment. The training is designed to ensure that all legislative personnel are equipped with essential knowledge to mitigate discrimination in their work environments.

Contention

While the bill focuses on establishing a framework for discrimination training, there could be contention surrounding the specific content and delivery of this training. There may be debates regarding the effectiveness of the training materials developed by the Texas Workforce Commission, as well as concerns over the sufficiency of the training time allotted. Additionally, discussions may arise concerning the responsibility of legislative leaders in ensuring compliance and accountability regarding attendance and participation in these training programs.