BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	S.B. 29
88R15499 MPF-D	By: Birdwell
	State Affairs
	3/10/2023
	As Filed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

As proposed, S.B. 29 amends current law relating to prohibited governmental entity implementation or enforcement of a vaccine mandate, mask requirement, or private business or school closure to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Subtitle D, Title 2, Health and Safety Code, by adding Chapter 81B, as follows:

CHAPTER 81B. PROHIBITED CORONAVIRUS PREVENTATIVE MEASURES

Sec. 81B.001. DEFINITIONS. Defines "COVID-19" and "governmental entity."

Sec. 81B.002. PROHIBITED FACE-COVERING MANDATE. Prohibits a governmental entity from implementing, ordering, or otherwise imposing a mandate requiring a person to wear a face mask or other face covering to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Sec. 81B.003. PROHIBITED VACCINE MANDATE. Prohibits a governmental entity from implementing, ordering, or otherwise imposing a mandate requiring a person to be vaccinated against COVID-19.

Sec. 81B.004. PROHIBITED CLOSURE MANDATE FOR PRIVATE BUSINESSES AND SCHOOLS. Prohibits a governmental entity from implementing, ordering, or otherwise imposing a mandate requiring the closure of a private business, public school, open-enrollment charter school, or private school to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

SECTION 2. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2023. ��