Bill Text: TX HB4512 | 2019-2020 | 86th Legislature | Introduced


Bill Title: Relating to the rights of persons relating to a marriage that violates a sincerely held religious belief.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2019-03-26 - Referred to Juvenile Justice & Family Issues [HB4512 Detail]

Download: Texas-2019-HB4512-Introduced.html
 
 
  By: Cain H.B. No. 4512
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the rights of persons relating to a marriage that
  violates a sincerely held religious belief.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 2.601, Family Code, is amended to read as
  follows:
         Sec. 2.601.  RELIGIOUS RIGHTS RELATED TO SOLEMNIZING OR
  PROVIDING SERVICES FOR MARRIAGE CEREMONY [OF CERTAIN RELIGIOUS
  ORGANIZATIONS].  An individual, religious organization, an
  organization supervised or controlled by or in connection with a
  religious organization, an individual employed by a religious
  organization while acting in the scope of that employment, or a
  clergy or minister may not be required to solemnize any marriage or
  provide services, accommodations, facilities, goods, or privileges
  for a purpose related to the solemnization, formation, or
  celebration of any marriage if the action would cause the
  organization or individual to violate a sincerely held religious
  belief of the organization or individual.
         SECTION 2.  Section 2.602, Family Code, is amended to read as
  follows:
         Sec. 2.602.  DISCRIMINATION BASED ON RELIGIOUS BELIEF 
  [AGAINST RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATION] PROHIBITED.  A refusal to provide
  services, accommodations, facilities, goods, or privileges under
  Section 2.601 is not the basis for:
               (1)  a civil cause of action by any person; or
               (2)  a criminal cause of action or any other action by
  this state or a political subdivision of this state to penalize or
  withhold benefits or privileges, including tax exemptions or
  governmental contracts, grants, or licenses, from any protected
  organization or individual.
         SECTION 3.  Section 2.602, Family Code, as amended by this
  Act, applies only to a cause of action that accrues or an action
  taken on or after the effective date of this Act.
         SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
  a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
  provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this
  Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
  Act takes effect September 1, 2019.
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