SB1681 —

AI-generated reading aid from the bill's amendatory text — verify against the official bill.

This bill amends the Texas statutes.

• CHAPTER 2401. PROTECTION OF RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS Sec. 2401.001. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter: (1) "Governmental entity" means: (A) this state; (B) a board, commission, council, department, or other agency in the executive, judicial, or legislative branch of state government that is created by the state constitution or a statute, including an institution of higher education as defined by Section 61.003, Education Code; (C) a political subdivision of this state; or (D) an officer, employee, or agent of an entity described by Paragraphs (A) through (C). (2) "Religious organization" means an organization established to support and serve the propagation of a sincerely held religious belief. Sec. 2401.002. RELIEF AVAILABLE. (a) A person may assert an actual or threatened violation of Section 6-a, Article I, Texas Constitution, as a claim or defense in a judicial or administrative proceeding and obtain: (1) injunctive relief; (2) declaratory relief; and (3) court costs and reasonable attorney's fees. (b) Notwithstanding any other law, a person may commence an action under this section and relief may be granted regardless of whether the person has sought or exhausted available administrative remedies. Sec. 2401.003. IMMUNITY WAIVED. A person who alleges a violation of Section 6-a, Article I, Texas Constitution, may sue the governmental entity for the relief provided under Section 2401.002. Sovereign or governmental immunity, as applicable, is waived and abolished to the extent of liability for that relief. Sec. 2401.004. ATTORNEY GENERAL ACTION; INTERVENTION IN PROCEEDING; PROHIBITED RECOVERY OF EXPENSES. (a) The attorney general may bring an action for injunctive or declaratory relief against a governmental entity to enforce compliance with Section 6-a, Article I, Texas Constitution. (b) This section may not be construed to deny, impair, or otherwise affect any authority of the attorney general or a governmental entity acting under other law to institute or intervene in an action. (c) The attorney general may not recover expenses incurred in bringing, instituting, or intervening in an action described by this section. Sec. 2401.005. INTERPRETATION. (a) This chapter and Section 6-a, Article I, Texas Constitution, may not be construed to preempt state or federal constitutional or statutory law that is equally or more protective of the free exercise of religious beliefs or to narrow the meaning or application of state or federal constitutional or statutory law protecting the free exercise of religious beliefs. (b) This chapter and Section 6-a, Article I, Texas Constitution, may not be construed to prevent a governmental entity from providing, either directly or through a person who is not seeking protection under this chapter, any benefit or service authorized under state or federal constitutional or statutory law. Sec. 2401.006. SUSPENSION PROHIBITED. The protections guaranteed under Section 6-a, Article I, Texas Constitution, and this chapter may not be suspended.

  amended

Similar bills in other states

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• SB 1681 Tennessee 89% Compare text
• SB 1681 Tennessee 89% Compare text
• SB 1681 Tennessee 89% Compare text