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The Texas Legislature is now 87 days into its 140-day session. As the session has progressed, we have seen that the pace of legislation moving from committees to the floor of the House of Representatives has been slower and more deliberate than in recent sessions. In many ways this is positive news as legislators focus on substantive issues and bills rather than on anti-equality bills or amendments. The good news for Equality Texas is that our legislative agenda is getting positive traction. We have had four (4) public hearings on legislative agenda bills in House committees:
Additionally, a fifth bill is now scheduled for public hearing on Tuesday, April 14th:
The following is a brief recap of work that is happening: Today (April 9, 2009), the House Committee on Public Education voted Representative Strama's bill favorably out of committee with 6 Ayes, 0 Nays, and 5 Absent. This bill is the result of Equality Texas' ongoing work on anti-bullying and harassment issues through our Foundation's Safe Schools Initiative. Equality Texas has been working with Rep. Strama's office since last fall with our broad-based Safe Schools Coalition to move forward on stronger policies and reporting in Texas public schools. Equality Texas is the first organization to establish and facilitate a coalition of this nature that includes teacher, school administrator and parent organizations, plus broad-based community organizations including the NAACP and LULAC. The next step is to work with Rep. Strama’s office to move this bill through Calendars Committee and out to the House Floor for a full vote. This bill is a critical step in improving the environment for all Texas public school students and will, for the first time, track school harassment and bullying incidents specifically related to sexual orientation and gender identity/expression. Additionally, this bill will also include cyber-bullying protections for students who are harassed 24/7 as a result of advances in technology.
Gender Identity/Expression in Hate Crimes Act - HB 2966 Today (April 9, 2009), the House Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence Subcommittee on Victims Rights and Violence Against Women heard testimony on HB 2966 by Representative Coleman. This bill would add gender identity and expression to the James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Act. Equality Texas worked with key supporters to coordinate testimony in support of the bill. Equality Texas secured Austin Police Chief Art Acevedo to testify in support of HB 2966. Additional expert testimony was provided by Katy Koonce, LPC; Lisa Scheps on behalf of Transgender Education Network of Texas; and Equality Texas Political Director Randall Terrell. The subcommittee hearing was live-blogged on the Equality Texas Blog. HB 2966 was left pending in committee. We will keep you posted as this bill progresses.
This bill was originally voted favorably out of committee on March 11, 2009. The bill would require the Attorney General to conduct a study on the effectiveness of the James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Act and identify barriers to prosecution. A committee substitute has been offered to add some clarifying language, and we expect a final committee vote next Wednesday, April 15, 2009. Equality Texas is also working with Senate allies to prepare for this bill to hit the House floor, be voted upon, and sent to the Senate.
Romeo and Juliet Fair Defense Act - HB 3564 On April 1, 2009 a public hearing was held before the House Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence on the Romeo and Juliet Fair Defense Act - HB 3564 by Representative Coleman. This bill would make the affirmative defense of age-appropriate dating available to all young couples, not just straight kids. "Heavy petting" is classified as a crime for minors under Texas law. It is classified as "indecency with a child". Currently, there is a defense to prosecution for age-appropriate dating by straight kids. This defense is not available to gay or lesbian kids. HB 3564 would make the affirmative defense of age-appropriate dating available to all young couples, not just straight kids. Equality Texas political director Randall Terrell testified in support of the bill. HB 3564 was left pending in committee.
Competitive Insurance Benefits - HB 861 The Competitive Insurance Benefits Bill - HB 861 by Representative Naishtat has been scheduled for public hearing on Tuesday, April 14th in the House Committee on Insurance. Equality Texas worked with Rep. Naishtat's office to draft language which would expand access to insurance/health benefits for employees and faculty of the University of Texas and Texas A&M University systems by adding a new category of dependent that includes "qualified other individual". Equality Texas is coordinating expert witness testimony from members of the UT and Texas A&M systems for next Tuesday's public hearing.
The Freedom from Workplace Discrimination Act - HB 538 Equality Texas delivered 2,165 signed petitions in support of The Freedom from Workplace Discrimination Act - HB 538 by Representative Villarreal. This bill would prohibit employment discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity/expression. The petitions were delivered to Rep. Villarreal, who will use them in his efforts to secure a public hearing on the bill before the House Committee on State Affairs.
Equality Texas continues to strengthen its presence and relationships at the Texas Capitol. Your support helps us build on our successes and move strategically to achieve equality for all Texans.
Thank you for making equality happen. |
