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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to exemption of certain civil actions from being subject |
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to a motion to dismiss on the basis of involving the exercise of |
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certain constitutional rights. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 27.010(a), Civil Practice and Remedies |
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Code, is amended to read as follows: |
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(a) This chapter does not apply to: |
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(1) an enforcement action that is brought in the name |
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of this state or a political subdivision of this state by the |
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attorney general, a district attorney, a criminal district |
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attorney, or a county attorney; |
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(2) a legal action brought against a person primarily |
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engaged in the business of selling or leasing goods or services, if |
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the statement or conduct arises out of the sale or lease of goods, |
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services, or an insurance product, insurance services, or a |
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commercial transaction in which the intended audience is an actual |
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or potential buyer or customer; |
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(3) a legal action seeking recovery for bodily injury, |
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wrongful death, or survival or to statements made regarding that |
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legal action; |
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(4) a legal action brought under the Insurance Code or |
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arising out of an insurance contract; |
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(5) a legal action arising from an officer-director, |
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employee-employer, or independent contractor relationship that: |
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(A) seeks recovery for misappropriation of trade |
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secrets or corporate opportunities; or |
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(B) seeks to enforce a non-disparagement |
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agreement or a covenant not to compete; |
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(6) a legal action filed under Title 1, 2, 4, or 5, |
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Family Code, or an application for a protective order under Chapter |
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7A, Code of Criminal Procedure; |
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(7) a legal action brought under Chapter 17, Business & |
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Commerce Code, other than an action governed by Section 17.49(a) |
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of that chapter; |
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(8) a legal action in which a moving party raises a |
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defense pursuant to Section 160.010, Occupations Code, Section |
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161.033, Health and Safety Code, or the Health Care Quality |
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Improvement Act of 1986 (42 U.S.C. 11101 et seq.); |
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(9) an eviction suit brought under Chapter 24, |
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Property Code; |
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(10) a disciplinary action or disciplinary proceeding |
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brought under Chapter 81, Government Code, or the Texas Rules of |
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Disciplinary Procedure; |
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(11) a legal action brought under Chapter 554, |
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Government Code; [or] |
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(12) a legal action based on a common law fraud claim; |
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or |
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(13) a legal action based on a common law legal |
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malpractice claim. |
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SECTION 2. Section 27.010(a), Civil Practice and Remedies |
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Code, as amended by this Act, applies only to an action commenced on |
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or after the effective date of this Act. An action commenced before |
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the effective date of this Act is governed by the law applicable to |
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the action immediately before the effective date of this Act, and |
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that law is continued in effect for that purpose. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021. |