By: Huffman, et al. S.B. No. 2048
(Cook, Harless, Geren, Oliveira, Kuempel)
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to a privilege from disclosure to governmental units for
certain evidence concerning sermons delivered by a religious
leader.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Title 6, Civil Practice and Remedies Code, is
amended by adding Chapter 150A to read as follows:
CHAPTER 150A. DISCOVERY BY GOVERNMENTAL UNIT
Sec. 150A.001. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter:
(1) "Governmental unit" has the meaning assigned by
Section 101.001.
(2) "Religious organization" means an organization
that qualifies as a religious organization under Section 11.20, Tax
Code.
(3) "Religious worship" has the meaning assigned by
Section 11.20, Tax Code.
Sec. 150A.002. SERMONS PRIVILEGED FROM DISCLOSURE TO
GOVERNMENTAL UNIT. A governmental unit may not, in any civil action
or other civil or administrative proceeding to which the
governmental unit is a party, compel the production or disclosure
of a written copy or audio or video recording of a sermon delivered
by a religious leader during religious worship of a religious
organization or compel the religious leader to testify regarding
the sermon.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect September 1, 2015.