Eliminating sexual misconduct in the workplace, as well as improving access to healthcare for young people, are part of a handful of bills authored by State Rep. Erin Zwiener (D-Driftwood)
All told, Zwiener, who is in her freshman year at the capitol, has either been an author or joint author to more than 70 pieces of legislation prior to a March 8 deadline.
Four of those proposed bills focus on ending workplace sexual harassment and improving the collection of sexual assault data. According to a statement, the bills present the “opportunity to create a shift in the workplace norms” and improve tracking sexual assaults and prosecution.
“Many reports to law enforcement aren’t adequately investigated, and many cases do not make it to prosecution,” Zwiener said in a statement. “By compiling data by jurisdiction, we can determine where additional training for law enforcement officers and prosecutors is needed.”
House Bill (HB) 2278 could increase the window of a sexual harassment claim from the current 180 days to two years, while HB 2279 could allow the Texas Workforce Commission to accept those claims from all employees and companies.
HB 2672 could lead to a study conducted by the Texas Department of Public Safety to investigate the rate of sexual assault offenses and prosecutions, while HB 2678 could require DPS to maintain statistics on the number of sexual assault victims reported to law enforcement agencies.
“We know sexual harassment can occur in any workplace and it’s our duty to make sure those protections extend to each and every Texas worker,” Zwiener said.
Meanwhile, Zwiener hopes to also expand healthcare for young people who are uninusired. Through HB 3591, Texans can receive Medicaid until they turn 26. The bill is meant for those who meet federal guidelines for Medicaid coverage.
More than 450,000 Texans aged 19 to 26 do not have healthcare coverage, Zwiener said in a statement. The bill could be important for former at-risk youth, such as those who were formerly in the state’s foster system.
“Many of the jobs that are available to young Texans don’t offer benefits,” Zwiener said. “With my bill, we can make sure more Texans have the health coverage they need.”
Zwiener also hopes to pave a path for more broadband internet access to residents in rural parts of the state.
HB 3592 could allow local governmental entities to partner with private sector groups and providers to develop and build broadband infrastructure in the far reaches of the state. Current roadblocks include high initial costs for jurisdictions to invest in broadband internet access.
Zwiener said in a statement the proposed rural broadband internet bill could give communities a chance to achieve ther “full educational and economic potential.”
“Let’s give cities the option to team up with the private sector and invest in rural communities,” Zwiener said.
