Texas Senate Bill SB1835

Texas 2021 - 87th Regular

Caption

Relating to the statute of limitations applicable to a complaint filed with the Texas Workforce Commission regarding an unlawful employment practice.

Impact

The revisions outlined in SB1835 will fundamentally alter the timeline for filing complaints regarding unlawful employment practices. By extending the limitation period, the bill aims to enable complainants to gather evidence and present their grievances more thoroughly. This change could lead to an increase in the number of filed complaints as individuals may feel less pressured to act within a shorter time frame. This could also result in a greater backlog for the Texas Workforce Commission as they handle potentially more cases under the extended limit.

Summary

SB1835 proposes amendments to the Labor Code regarding the statute of limitations applicable to complaints filed with the Texas Workforce Commission about unlawful employment practices. Specifically, the bill seeks to extend the period in which a complainant can file a complaint from the current 180 days to 300 days from the date of the alleged unlawful employment practice. This legislative change is intended to provide individuals with greater time to prepare their cases before filing, thus enhancing their ability to seek justice in workplace disputes.

Contention

One of the notable points of contention surrounding SB1835 is the potential increase in the workload for the Texas Workforce Commission, raising concerns about the agency's capacity to efficiently process a higher volume of complaints. Critics may argue that while the extension of time could benefit complainants, it could also lead to drawn-out processes affecting both the complainants and the respondents. Additionally, there is a concern from some stakeholders about the implications this could have on the resolution of workplace disputes, particularly whether it could lead to prolonged uncertainty for employers.