Enrolled Bill Summary

Senate Bill 1978	Senate Author:  Hughes et al.
Effective:  9-1-19	House Sponsor:  Krause et al.

            Senate Bill 1978 amends the Government Code to prohibit the legislature or a legislative agency, a state judicial agency or the State Bar of Texas, a state or local governmental entity, or an officer, employee, or agent of such bodies from taking any adverse action, including withholding, reducing, excluding, terminating, or otherwise denying certain financial benefits or agreements, against any person based wholly or partly on the person's membership in, affiliation with, or contribution, donation, or other support provided to a religious organization. The bill allows a person to assert an actual or threatened violation in a judicial or administrative proceeding and provides for injunctive relief, declaratory relief, and court costs and reasonable attorney's fees. Sovereign or governmental immunity is waived and abolished to the extent of liability for such relief.