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Thursday, April 24, 2025

Jon Rosenthal introduced HB 1601 in Texas House — here’s what you need to know

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Jon Eric Rosenthal, Texas State Representative of 135th District (D) | https://www.facebook.com/JonRosenthalTX/

Jon Eric Rosenthal, Texas State Representative of 135th District (D) | https://www.facebook.com/JonRosenthalTX/

Rep. Jon Rosenthal introduced HB 1601, a bill on Courts, Education, Family, and Housing, to the Texas House on Wednesday, March 12 during the 89(R) legislative session, according to the Texas Legislature website.

More specifically, the official text was summarized by the state legislature as ’’Relating to the prohibition, prevention, and remedying of certain discrimination’’.

The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.

This bill seeks to address discrimination by amending various codes to integrate protections against discriminatory practices based on sexual orientation and gender identity or expression. It introduces Chapter 100B to the Civil Practice and Remedies Code to prohibit discrimination in public accommodations, allowing aggrieved individuals to seek civil action for remedies including damages and injunctions. The bill also amends the Code of Criminal Procedure, Education Code, and Property Code to extend existing anti-discrimination measures to cover sexual orientation and gender identity or expression. Additionally, it ensures that rights and duties under Texas law are construed neutrally in context of same-sex marriages and civil unions. The bill includes specific provisions for school districts to prevent discrimination and harassment and requires biennial reporting to the Texas Education Agency. Effective dates vary for different sections, with the main provisions taking effect on Sept. 1, 2025.

Jon Rosenthal, member of the House Committee on Intergovernmental Affairs and vice chair of the House Committee on Redistricting, proposed another 21 bills during the 89(R) legislative session.

Rosenthal graduated from the University of Texas at Austin in 1991 with a BS.

Jon Rosenthal is currently serving in the Texas State House, representing the state's 135th House district. He replaced previous state representative Gary Elkins in 2019.

Bills in Texas go through a multi-step legislative process, including committee review, debates, and votes in both chambers before reaching a final decision. Each session, there are typically thousands of bills introduced, but only a portion successfully navigate the process to become law.

You can read more about the bills and other measures here.

Other Recent Bills Introduced by Rep. Jon Rosenthal in Texas House During 89(R) Legislative Session

Bill NumberDate IntroducedShort Description
HB 160303/12/2025Relating to the authority of the Public Utility Commission of Texas to ensure the independent organization certified for the ERCOT power region has adequate reserve power to prevent blackout conditions
HB 160203/12/2025Relating to the prosecution and punishment of a criminal offense relating to making false statements or reports of child abuse or neglect
HB 159903/12/2025Relating to a handgun safety course required for the transfer of a handgun
HB 61303/04/2025Relating to the interconnection of the ERCOT power grid to grids outside the ERCOT power region
HB 60803/04/2025Relating to electric power purchased for the ERCOT power region
HB 57503/03/2025Relating to preparation for and response to weather emergencies that affect certain natural gas facilities; increasing the amount of civil and administrative penalties
HB 57403/03/2025Relating to the use of adaptive model data analytics software by the independent organization certified to manage the ERCOT power region
HB 53203/03/2025Relating to the applicability to open-enrollment charter schools of certain law regarding travel expenses
HB 53103/03/2025Relating to the use of certain devices by a person occupying a voting station
HB 50103/03/2025Relating to the advertisement of disposable wipes as flushable; authorizing a civil penalty
HB 48902/28/2025Relating to the temperature at which a facility operated by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice is maintained
HB 47102/28/2025Relating to the intake and disposition records of animal shelters and releasing agencies
HB 45902/28/2025Relating to the establishment by the Railroad Commission of Texas of a policy to eliminate the routine flaring of natural gas from wells or other facilities regulated by the commission
HB 43802/28/2025Relating to prohibiting an increase in the rent of a tenant residing in a development supported with a low income housing tax credit allocation
HB 43502/28/2025Relating to prohibiting carrying a firearm while intoxicated; creating a criminal offense
HB 41002/28/2025Relating to pet deposits or fees collected by landlords
HB 36202/28/2025Relating to the assignment of public school students enrolled in certain school districts to an uncertified teacher
HB 30202/28/2025Relating to a prohibition of employment discrimination on the basis of reproductive decisions and certain employment agreements limiting reproductive decisions
HB 27002/27/2025Relating to civil liability for discriminatory false reports to law enforcement agencies or emergency service providers
HB 23002/27/2025Relating to the establishment of the office of community violence intervention and prevention within the Department of State Health Services and a grant program for violence intervention and prevention services
HB 22402/27/2025Relating to contracting with companies that boycott or discriminate against certain entities

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