82R6750 CAE-F
By: Berman H.B. No. 999
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
relating to requiring a court of this state to uphold and apply
certain laws, including the doctrine requiring courts to refrain
from involvement in religious doctrinal interpretation or
application.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 21.001, Government Code, is amended by
adding Subsection (d) to read as follows:
(d) A court shall uphold and apply the Constitution of the
United States, the constitution of this state, federal laws, and
the laws of this state, including the doctrine that is derived from
the First Amendment to the United States Constitution and known as
the church autonomy doctrine, which in part requires courts to
refrain from involvement in religious doctrinal interpretation or
application.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2011.