Discrimination Laws in Texas
Discrimination laws in Texas are enforced by the Texas Workforce Commission, Civil Rights Division and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. But, the CRD is only located in Austin, Texas. So, by far, most cases are filed with the EEOC. Both agencies have a work share agreement in which a charge with one will simultaneously be filed with the other agency. The federal statute is Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, while the state version is the Texas Commission on Human Rights Act. The TCHRA generally tracks Title VII.
Both statutes prohibit discrimination based on sex, race, national origin, and religion. The Americans with Disabilities Act prohibits discrimination based on disability. The Age Discrimination in Employment Act prohibits discrimination based on age. The EEOC investigates alleged violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act and Age Discrimination in Employment Act. And, of course, the Texas TCHRA also tracks the ADA and the ADEA.
Any charge of discrimination must first be filed with either the EEOC or the TWC, CRD before proceeding to a lawsuit.
