HBA-JLV, SEP H.B. 215 77(R) BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 215 By: Longoria Economic Development 3/2/2001 Introduced BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Current law does not specifically protect individuals employed for 10 years or more from dismissal without cause by their employers. House Bill 215 prohibits employers from discharging without cause, employees with 10 years of service. 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 (Section 54.004, Labor Code) of this bill. ANALYSIS House Bill 215 amends the Labor Code to prohibit an employer from discharging, without cause, an employee, other than an independent contractor, who has been continuously employed by that employer for at least 10 years. An employee discharged under these circumstances is entitled to reinstatement in the same position of employment or an equivalent position with commensurate pay, and the employer is liable for any loss of wages and employer-provided benefits incurred by the employee as a result of the violation. The bill requires that employees be notified of these rights through the prominent posting of a sign, the design and content of which is to be prescribed by the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) and authorizes TWC to adopt rules to implement these provisions. EFFECTIVE DATE September 1, 2001.