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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the disclosure by charitable organizations of |
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allegations of sexual misconduct. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Chapter 84, Civil Practice and Remedies Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 84.0066 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 84.0066. LIABILITY IN DISCLOSING SEXUAL ABUSE AND |
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SEXUAL MISCONDUCT. (a) A charitable organization, or an employee |
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or volunteer thereof, acting in good faith is immune from civil |
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liability for any act to disclose information reasonably believed |
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to be true about allegations that any person, while employed by or |
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serving as a volunteer of the charitable organization engaged in |
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sexual misconduct, sexually abused another person, sexually |
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harassed another person, or otherwise committed an offense under |
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Chapter 21, Penal Code, or under Chapter 43, Penal Code to the |
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current employer or a prospective employer of that person. |
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(b) A person who reports the person's own sexual abuse, |
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sexual harassment, or offense under Chapter 21, Penal Code, or |
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under Chapter 43, Penal Code, or who acts in bad faith or with |
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malicious purpose in making a disclosure under subsection (a) is |
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not immune from civil or criminal liability. |
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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, 2019. |