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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to a prohibition on COVID-19 vaccine mandates. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 161, Health and Safety |
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Code, is amended by adding Section 161.0015 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 161.0015. PROHIBITED COVID-19 VACCINE MANDATES. (a) |
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The state or a political subdivision of this state, including a |
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public school district, an open-enrollment charter school, or |
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public health authority may not implement, order, or otherwise |
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impose a mandate requiring an individual to be vaccinated against |
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COVID-19. |
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(b) Notwithstanding Subsection (a), a health care facility |
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owned or operated by a political subdivision of this state may |
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require an employee or applicant for employment to provide |
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documentation certifying the employee's or applicant's COVID-19 |
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vaccination to be employed by the facility. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
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a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as |
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provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this |
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Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
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Act takes effect September 1, 2023. |