HBA-EDN H.B. 1761 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 1761
By: Turner, Sylvester
Economic Development
3/12/2001
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

For a parent to be an active participant in their child's education, it is
often necessary for the parent to meet with their child's school principal,
counselor, or teacher if a situation arises regarding their child.  In
recent years it has become increasingly difficult for parents to take time
away from work if such a situation arises. House Bill 1761 entitles
employees to an allotted amount of time that the employee may take off work
to meet with certain persons affecting their child's education.    

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that rulemaking
authority is expressly delegated to the Texas Workforce Commission in
SECTION 1 (Sec. 83.005, Labor Code) of this bill. 

ANALYSIS

House Bill 1761 amends the Labor Code to entitle an employee who has been
employed by the same employer for at least six consecutive months to up to
10 hours of leave in each 12-month period to meet with the teacher, school
counselor, or principal of the employee's child.  The bill authorizes leave
taken to be unpaid and authorizes, but does not require an employee to use
existing vacation, personal, compensatory, or other appropriate paid leave
time for a planned absence.  The bill provides that an employee must
provide the employer with written notice at least 24 hours before the
planned absence unless the leave is immediate and unplanned due to an
emergency situation involving the employee's child.  
H.B. 1761 prohibits an employer from suspending or terminating the
employment of, or otherwise discriminating against, an employee who takes
leave if the employee has given written notice or taken emergency leave.
The bill sets forth remedies for an employee whose employment is suspended
or terminated in violation of these provisions. 
 
H.B. 1761 requires each employer to post a conspicuous sign in a prominent
location in the workplace informing employees of their rights under these
provisions.  The bill requires the Texas Workforce Commission, by rule, to
prescribe the design and content of the sign.    

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2001.