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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to a privilege from disclosure to governmental units for |
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certain evidence concerning sermons delivered by a religious |
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leader. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Title 6, Civil Practice and Remedies Code, is |
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amended by adding Chapter 150A to read as follows: |
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CHAPTER 150A. DISCOVERY BY GOVERNMENTAL UNIT |
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Sec. 150A.001. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter: |
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(1) "Governmental unit" has the meaning assigned by |
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Section 101.001. |
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(2) "Religious organization" means an organization |
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that qualifies as a religious organization under Section 11.20, Tax |
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Code. |
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(3) "Religious worship" has the meaning assigned by |
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Section 11.20, Tax Code. |
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Sec. 150A.002. SERMONS PRIVILEGED FROM DISCLOSURE TO |
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GOVERNMENTAL UNIT. A governmental unit may not, in any civil action |
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or other civil or administrative proceeding to which the |
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governmental unit is a party, compel the production or disclosure |
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of a written copy or audio or video recording of a sermon delivered |
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by a religious leader during religious worship of a religious |
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organization or compel the religious leader to testify regarding |
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the sermon. |
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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, 2017. |