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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the rights of persons relating to a marriage that |
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violates a sincerely held religious belief. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 2.601, Family Code, is amended to read as |
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follows: |
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Sec. 2.601. RELIGIOUS RIGHTS RELATED TO SOLEMNIZING OR |
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PROVIDING SERVICES FOR MARRIAGE CEREMONY [OF CERTAIN RELIGIOUS
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ORGANIZATIONS]. An individual, religious organization, an |
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organization supervised or controlled by or in connection with a |
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religious organization, an individual employed by a religious |
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organization while acting in the scope of that employment, or a |
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clergy or minister may not be required to solemnize any marriage or |
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provide services, accommodations, facilities, goods, or privileges |
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for a purpose related to the solemnization, formation, or |
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celebration of any marriage if the action would cause the |
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organization or individual to violate a sincerely held religious |
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belief of the organization or individual. |
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SECTION 2. Section 2.602, Family Code, is amended to read as |
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follows: |
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Sec. 2.602. DISCRIMINATION BASED ON RELIGIOUS BELIEF |
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[AGAINST RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATION] PROHIBITED. A refusal to provide |
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services, accommodations, facilities, goods, or privileges under |
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Section 2.601 is not the basis for: |
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(1) a civil cause of action by any person; or |
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(2) a criminal cause of action or any other action by |
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this state or a political subdivision of this state to penalize or |
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withhold benefits or privileges, including tax exemptions or |
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governmental contracts, grants, or licenses, from any protected |
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organization or individual. |
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SECTION 3. Section 2.602, Family Code, as amended by this |
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Act, applies only to a cause of action that accrues or an action |
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taken on or after the effective date of this Act. |
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SECTION 4. 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. |