By: Rosenthal H.B. No. 689
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to civil liability for discriminatory false reports to law
enforcement agencies or emergency service providers.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Title 4, Civil Practice and Remedies Code, is
amended by adding Chapter 100B to read as follows:
CHAPTER 100B. LIABILITY FOR DISCRIMINATION
Sec. 100B.001. LIABILITY FOR DISCRIMINATORY FALSE REPORTS
TO LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES AND EMERGENCY SERVICE PROVIDERS. (a) A
person who submits a false report to a law enforcement agency or
emergency service provider, with the intent that the law
enforcement agency or emergency service provider take action
against a falsely accused person, is liable to the falsely accused
person for an amount not to exceed $250 if the report was submitted
due to bias or prejudice against the falsely accused person's race,
color, disability, religion, national origin or ancestry, age,
gender, sexual orientation, or gender identity.
(b) If a falsely accused person prevails in an action
brought under Subsection (a), the person may recover attorney's
fees and costs incurred in bringing the action.
SECTION 2. Section 100B.001, Civil Practice and Remedies
Code, as added 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, 2023.