Texas House Bill HB308

Texas 2009 - 81st Regular

• Filed: 11/19/08

Caption

Relating to payment of wages to certain employees who miss work to perform jury duty; providing a criminal penalty.

Impact

The legislation aims to provide financial support for employees serving jury duty, ensuring that they do not face economic hardship for fulfilling this civic responsibility. By requiring employers to compensate their employees for the first day of jury duty, the bill seeks to encourage participation in the judicial process without the fear of losing income. This change will amend the Labor Code, specifically adding a new subchapter focused on jury duty wage payments, signifying a shift towards better employee protections in Texas.

Summary

House Bill 308 introduces new provisions regarding the payment of wages to employees who miss work to serve on jury duty. The bill mandates that employees are entitled to receive their usual compensation for the first day of jury duty, limited to a maximum of $40. This applies only to employees who are summoned for jury duty and requires them to present a copy of their summons to their employer. However, self-employed individuals are excluded from these provisions.

Contention

Notably, the bill includes criminal penalties for employers who fail to comply with these payment requirements. Specifically, a private employer can be charged with a Class B misdemeanor for violations. This aspect of the bill underscores the seriousness of the obligation placed on employers and aims to deter non-compliance. The implementation of such penalties has raised questions regarding the balance of responsibilities between employers and employees, particularly within small businesses where any additional financial obligation could be particularly burdensome.