If a Texas licensee violates fair housing laws, which entity can award monetary damages?

The Texas Workforce Commission's Civil Rights Division (TWCCRD) is responsible for enforcing the Texas Fair Housing Act, which prohibits discrimination in housing practices. When a licensed individual violates these fair housing laws, the TWCCRD has the authority to investigate complaints and can award monetary damages to the aggrieved parties. This includes compensatory damages that are intended to cover losses incurred due to the discriminatory practices.

On the other hand, the Texas Department of Insurance and the Texas Real Estate Commission do not have jurisdiction over fair housing violations in the same manner; their roles focus more broadly on regulatory aspects of insurance and real estate brokerage, respectively. The Texas Workforce Commission, while it oversees a wide range of workforce-related issues, specifically the Civil Rights Division is the one that directly addresses violations of housing discrimination. Therefore, when it comes to awarding monetary damages specifically related to fair housing laws, the TWCCRD is the correct entity for this purpose.