88R9694 SCL-D
By: Menéndez S.B. No. 2082
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the disruption of quiet enjoyment of a residence with
pamphlets, leaflets, or flyers demonstrating ethnic or religious
animus; providing a civil penalty.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Title 4, Property Code, is amended by adding
Chapter 31 to read as follows:
CHAPTER 31. CIVIL PENALTIES FOR CERTAIN DISRUPTIONS OF QUIET
ENJOYMENT OF PROPERTY
Sec. 31.001. CIVIL PENALTY FOR DISRUPTION OF QUIET
ENJOYMENT OF RESIDENCE WITH CERTAIN HATE SPEECH. (a) A person who
interferes with another person's quiet enjoyment of that person's
residence by distributing a pamphlet, leaflet, or flyer that
demonstrates ethnic or religious animus is subject to a civil
penalty in an amount of $5,000.
(b) The attorney general or a district or county attorney
may bring an action to collect a civil penalty under this section.
The attorney general or district or county attorney may recover
reasonable attorney's fees and costs incurred in bringing the
action.
SECTION 2. Section 31.001, Property Code, as added by this
Act, applies only to a pamphlet, leaflet, or flyer distributed on or
after the effective date of this Act.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.