By: Hughes S.B. No. 694

(In the Senate - Filed February 3, 2023; February 17, 2023, read first time and referred to Committee on State Affairs; April 4, 2023, reported favorably by the following vote: Yeas 8, Nays 2; April 4, 2023, sent to printer.) Click here to see the committee vote

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to liability of a religious organization or an employee or volunteer of a religious organization for security services provided to the organization.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Chapter 84, Civil Practice and Remedies Code, is amended by adding Section 84.0067 to read as follows:

Sec. 84.0067. LIABILITY ARISING FROM PROVISION OF SECURITY SERVICES TO RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATION. (a) In this section:

(1) "Religious organization" means a charitable organization that is a religious organization under Section 110.011(b).

(2) "Security personnel" means an individual:

(A) whom a religious organization hires to provide security services to the organization as an employee; or

(B) who is a volunteer of a religious organization whose duties or functions include providing security services to the organization.

(b) A religious organization or security personnel of a religious organization is immune from civil liability for any act or omission by the security personnel resulting in death, damage, or injury if the security personnel was acting in the course and scope of the security personnel's employment or volunteer duties or functions, as applicable, to provide security services to the organization, including:

(1) notwithstanding Section 84.007(a), an intentional act; and

(2) an act involving possession or use of a firearm.

SECTION 2. Section 84.0067, Civil Practice and Remedies Code, as added by this Act, applies only to a cause of action that accrues on or after the effective date of this Act.

SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.

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