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A JOINT RESOLUTION
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proposing a constitutional amendment relating to an individual's or |
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religious organization's freedom of religion. |
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BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 6, Article I, Texas Constitution, is |
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amended to read as follows: |
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Sec. 6. (a) All men have a natural and indefeasible right |
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to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their own |
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consciences. No man shall be compelled to attend, erect or support |
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any place of worship, or to maintain any ministry against his |
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consent. No human authority ought, in any case whatever, to control |
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or interfere with the rights of conscience in matters of religion, |
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and no preference shall ever be given by law to any religious |
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society or mode of worship. |
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(b) Government may not burden an individual's or religious |
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organization's freedom of religion or right to act or refuse to act |
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in a manner motivated by a sincerely held religious belief unless |
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the government proves that the burden is in furtherance of a |
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compelling governmental interest and is the least restrictive means |
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of furthering that interest. For purposes of this subsection, the |
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term "burden" includes indirect burdens such as withholding |
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benefits, assessing penalties, and denying access to facilities or |
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programs. |
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(c) But it shall be the duty of the Legislature to pass such |
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laws as may be necessary to protect equally every religious |
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denomination in the peaceable enjoyment of its own mode of public |
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worship. |
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SECTION 2. This proposed constitutional amendment shall be |
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submitted to the voters at an election to be held November 3, 2015. |
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The ballot shall be printed to provide for voting for or against the |
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proposition: "The constitutional amendment relating to an |
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individual's or religious organization's freedom of religion." |