84R6883 ATP-D
 
  By: Shaheen H.B. No. 1355
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the consequences for an elected officer who threatens,
  punishes, or intimidates a person based on the person's religious
  beliefs; creating a criminal offense.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 21.022(4), Local Government Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
               (4)  "Official misconduct" means intentional unlawful
  behavior relating to official duties by an officer entrusted with
  the administration of justice or the execution of the law. The term
  includes an intentional or corrupt failure, refusal, or neglect of
  an officer to perform a duty imposed on the officer by law or the use
  of an officer's office to threaten, punish, or intimidate an
  individual based on the individual's religious beliefs.
         SECTION 2.  Subchapter C, Chapter 26, Local Government Code,
  is amended by adding Section 26.048 to read as follows:
         Sec. 26.048.  REMOVAL FROM OFFICE FOR RELIGIOUS TARGETING.
  An elected officer of a municipality may be removed from office
  under the municipality's removal procedures for the use of the
  officer's office to threaten, punish, or intimidate an individual
  based on the individual's religious beliefs.
         SECTION 3.  Section 87.011(3), Local Government Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
               (3)  "Official misconduct" means intentional, unlawful
  behavior relating to official duties by an officer entrusted with
  the administration of justice or the execution of the law. The term
  includes an intentional or corrupt failure, refusal, or neglect of
  an officer to perform a duty imposed on the officer by law or the use
  of an officer's office to threaten, punish, or intimidate an
  individual based on the individual's religious beliefs.
         SECTION 4.  Section 39.03(a), Penal Code, is amended to read
  as follows:
         (a)  A public servant acting under color of his office or
  employment commits an offense if he:
               (1)  intentionally subjects another to mistreatment or
  to arrest, detention, search, seizure, dispossession, assessment,
  or lien that he knows is unlawful;
               (2)  intentionally denies or impedes another in the
  exercise or enjoyment of any right, privilege, power, or immunity,
  knowing his conduct is unlawful; [or]
               (3)  intentionally subjects another to sexual
  harassment; or
               (4)  is an elected officer and intentionally threatens,
  punishes, or intimidates another based on the other's religious
  beliefs.
         SECTION 5.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2015.