Section 819.112 - DefinitionsThe following words and terms, when used in Subchapter G, Texas Fair Housing Act Provisions; Subchapter H, Discriminatory Housing Practices; Subchapter I, Texas Fair Housing Act Complaints and Appeals Process; Subchapter J, Fair Housing Deferral to Municipalities; Subchapter K, Fair Housing Administrative Hearings and Judicial Review; and Subchapter L, Fair Housing Fund, shall have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.
(1) Accessible or readily accessible to and usable by--Means a public or common use area can be approached, entered, and used by individuals with disabilities, as set forth in Texas Property Code § 301.025(c)(3). Compliance with the appropriate requirements of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) for buildings and facilities providing accessibility and usability for persons having physical disabilities, commonly cited as ANSI A117.1, satisfies this requirement.(2) Accessible building entrance--A building entrance that is accessible by individuals with disabilities, as set forth in Texas Property Code § 301.025(c). Compliance with the appropriate requirements of ANSI for buildings and facilities providing accessibility and usability for persons having physical disabilities, commonly cited as ANSI A117.1, satisfies this requirement.(3) Accessible route--A route that is accessible by individuals with disabilities, as set forth in Texas Property Code § 301.025(c). Compliance with the appropriate requirements of ANSI for buildings and facilities providing accessibility and usability for persons having physical disabilities, commonly cited as ANSI A117.1, satisfies this requirement.(4) Building--A structure, facility, or the portion thereof that contains or serves one or more dwelling units.(5) Common use areas--Rooms, spaces, or elements inside or outside of a building that are made available for the use of residents or the guests of a building. These areas include, but are not limited to, hallways, lounges, lobbies, laundry rooms, refuse rooms, mailrooms, recreational areas, and passageways among and between buildings.(6) Complaint--A written statement made under oath stating that an unlawful housing practice has been committed, setting forth the facts on which the complaint is based, and received within one year of the date the alleged unlawful housing practice occurred or terminated, whichever is later, and for which CRD shall initiate an investigation.(7) Controlled substance--Any drug or other substance or immediate precursor as defined in the Controlled Substances Act, 21 U.S.C. § 802 or the Texas Controlled Substances Act, Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 481.(8) Disability--A mental or physical impairment that substantially limits at least one major life activity, a record of such an impairment, or being regarded as having such an impairment. The term does not include current illegal use of or addiction to any drug or illegal or controlled substance; and reference to "an individual with a disability" or perceived as "disabled" does not apply to an individual based on that individual's sexual orientation or because that individual is a transvestite. (A) Physical or mental impairment includes: (i) any physiological disorder or condition, cosmetic disfigurement, or anatomical loss affecting one or more of the following body systems: neurological, musculoskeletal, special sense organs, respiratory, including speech organs, cardiovascular, reproductive, digestive, genitourinary, hemic and lymphatic, skin, and endocrine; or(ii) any mental or psychological disorder, such as intellectual disability , organic brain syndrome, emotional or mental illness, and specific learning disabilities. The term "physical or mental impairment" includes, but is not limited to, such diseases and conditions as orthopedic, visual, speech and hearing impairments, cerebral palsy, autism, epilepsy, muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis, cancer, heart disease, diabetes, human immunodeficiency virus infection, intellectual disability, emotional illness, drug addiction (other than addiction caused by current, illegal use of a controlled substance) and alcoholism.(B) Major life activity means a function such as caring for one's self, performing manual tasks, walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing, learning, and working.(C) A record of having such an impairment means a history of, or misclassification as having, a mental or physical impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activity.(D) Being regarded as having an impairment means having:(i) a physical or mental impairment that does not substantially limit one or more major life activity but that is treated by another person as constituting such a limitation;(ii) a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activity only as a result of the attitudes of others toward such impairment; or(iii) none of the impairments in subparagraph (A) of this paragraph but is treated by another person as having such an impairment.(9) Discriminatory housing practice--An action prohibited by Texas Fair Housing Act, Subchapter B, or conduct that is an offense under Texas Fair Housing Act, Subchapter I.(10) Entrance--Any access point to a building or portion of a building used by residents for the purpose of entering the building.(11) Exterior--All areas of the premises outside of an individual dwelling unit.(12) Ground floor--Within a building, any floor with an entrance on an accessible route. A building may have more than one ground floor.(13) Interior--The spaces, parts, components, or elements of an individual dwelling unit.(14) Modification--Any change to the public or common use areas of a building or any change to a dwelling unit.(15) Premises--The interior or exterior spaces, parts, components, or elements of a building, including individual dwelling units and the public and common use areas of a building.(16) Public use areas--Interior or exterior rooms or spaces of a building that are made available to the general public. Public use may be provided at a building that is privately or publicly owned.(17) Site--A parcel of land bounded by a property line or a designated portion of a public right of way.(18) Texas Fair Housing Act--Texas Property Code, Chapter 301.(19) United States Fair Housing Act--Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968, as amended by the Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1988.40 Tex. Admin. Code § 819.112
The provisions of this §819.112 adopted to be effective September 27, 2005, 30 TexReg 6065; amended to be effective June 16, 2014, 39 TexReg 4659; Amended by Texas Register, Volume 41, Number 31, July 29, 2016, TexReg 5563, eff. 8/1/2016