By: Cain H.B. No. 4512
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the rights of persons relating to a marriage that
violates a sincerely held religious belief.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 2.601, Family Code, is amended to read as
follows:
Sec. 2.601. RELIGIOUS RIGHTS RELATED TO SOLEMNIZING OR
PROVIDING SERVICES FOR MARRIAGE CEREMONY [OF CERTAIN RELIGIOUS
ORGANIZATIONS]. An individual, religious organization, an
organization supervised or controlled by or in connection with a
religious organization, an individual employed by a religious
organization while acting in the scope of that employment, or a
clergy or minister may not be required to solemnize any marriage or
provide services, accommodations, facilities, goods, or privileges
for a purpose related to the solemnization, formation, or
celebration of any marriage if the action would cause the
organization or individual to violate a sincerely held religious
belief of the organization or individual.
SECTION 2. Section 2.602, Family Code, is amended to read as
follows:
Sec. 2.602. DISCRIMINATION BASED ON RELIGIOUS BELIEF
[AGAINST RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATION] PROHIBITED. A refusal to provide
services, accommodations, facilities, goods, or privileges under
Section 2.601 is not the basis for:
(1) a civil cause of action by any person; or
(2) a criminal cause of action or any other action by
this state or a political subdivision of this state to penalize or
withhold benefits or privileges, including tax exemptions or
governmental contracts, grants, or licenses, from any protected
organization or individual.
SECTION 3. Section 2.602, Family Code, as amended by this
Act, applies only to a cause of action that accrues or an action
taken on or after the effective date of this Act.
SECTION 4. 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, 2019.