WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

HB 5626

Relating to the right of an employee to unpaid leave to donate an organ or bone marrow or to receive an organ or bone marrow transplant.

89th Legislature (2025) Introduced by Josey Garcia

Texas bill grants employees unpaid leave rights for organ/bone marrow donation or transplant procedures with employer retaliation protections.

Referred to s/c on Workforce by Speaker
#employeebenefits&leave(s0452) #family&medicalleave(s0419) #health--general(i0385) #health--otherdiseases&medicalconditions(i0383) #labor--general(i0500) #organ&tissuedonations(s0305)
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 5626

Legislative bill overview

HB 5626 would establish the right for employees in Texas to take unpaid leave to donate an organ or bone marrow, or to receive a transplant of either. The bill creates a statutory protection preventing employers from retaliating against workers who take such leave for medical donation or transplant procedures.

Why is this important

Organ and bone marrow donations can be lifesaving but require recovery time that may not fit within standard sick leave or PTO policies. Without explicit legal protection, employees might fear job loss or retaliation when taking time off for these critical medical procedures, potentially discouraging donation and creating financial hardship for transplant recipients.

Potential points of contention

  • Definition scope: The bill's language regarding what qualifies as donation/transplant leave and how much time is "reasonable" remains undefined in available text, creating potential disputes
  • Small business impact: Employers, particularly small businesses, may argue unpaid leave mandates add operational burden without clarity on duration or frequency of protected absences
  • Verification requirements: Unclear whether employers can require medical documentation, and what privacy protections apply to health information shared to justify the leave

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

Sign in to ask a question.