S.B. No. 694
AN ACT
relating to liability of a religious organization or an employee or
volunteer of a religious organization for security services
provided to the organization.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Chapter 84, Civil Practice and Remedies Code, is
amended by adding Section 84.0067 to read as follows:
Sec. 84.0067. LIABILITY ARISING FROM PROVISION OF SECURITY
SERVICES TO RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATION. (a) In this section:
(1) "Religious organization" means a charitable
organization that is a religious organization under Section
110.011(b).
(2) "Security personnel" means an individual:
(A) whom a religious organization hires to
provide security services to the organization as an employee; or
(B) who is a volunteer of a religious
organization whose duties or functions include providing security
services to the organization.
(b) A religious organization or security personnel of a
religious organization is immune from civil liability for any act
or omission by the security personnel resulting in death, damage,
or injury if the security personnel was acting in the course and
scope of the security personnel's employment or volunteer duties or
functions, as applicable, to provide security services to the
organization, including:
(1) notwithstanding Section 84.007(a), an intentional
act; and
(2) an act involving possession or use of a firearm.
SECTION 2. Section 84.0067, 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 September 1, 2023.
______________________________ ______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I hereby certify that S.B. No. 694 passed the Senate on
April 12, 2023, by the following vote: Yeas 21, Nays 9.
______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
I hereby certify that S.B. No. 694 passed the House on
May 23, 2023, by the following vote: Yeas 86, Nays 53, three
present not voting.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
Approved:
______________________________
Date
______________________________
Governor