H.B. No. 609
AN ACT
relating to the liability of a business owner or operator arising
from the exposure of an individual to a pandemic disease.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 148.003, Civil Practice and Remedies
Code, is amended by adding Subsection (k) to read as follows:
(k) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, a
business owner or operator that does not require employees or
contractors of the business to be vaccinated against a pandemic
disease is not liable for injury or death caused by the exposure of
an individual to the pandemic disease through an employee or
contractor of the business.
SECTION 2. Section 148.003(k), 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 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, 2023.
______________________________ ______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I certify that H.B. No. 609 was passed by the House on April
25, 2023, by the following vote: Yeas 104, Nays 39, 1 present, not
voting.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
I certify that H.B. No. 609 was passed by the Senate on May
11, 2023, by the following vote: Yeas 19, Nays 11.
______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
APPROVED: _____________________
Date
_____________________
Governor