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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to exempting a religious bible from attachment, execution, |
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or other seizure for the satisfaction of debts. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Sections 42.001(b) and (c), Property Code, are |
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amended to read as follows: |
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(b) The following personal property is exempt from seizure |
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and is not included in the aggregate limitations prescribed by |
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Subsection (a): |
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(1) current wages for personal services, except for |
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the enforcement of court-ordered child support payments; |
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(2) professionally prescribed health aids of a debtor |
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or a dependent of a debtor; [and] |
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(3) alimony, support, or separate maintenance |
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received or to be received by the debtor for the support of the |
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debtor or a dependent of the debtor; and |
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(4) a religious bible or other book containing sacred |
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writings of a religion. |
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(c) Except as provided by Subsection (b)(4), this [This] |
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section does not prevent seizure by a secured creditor with a |
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contractual landlord's lien or other security in the property to be |
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seized. |
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SECTION 2. The changes in law made by this Act do not apply |
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to property that is, as of the effective date of this Act, subject |
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to a voluntary bankruptcy proceeding or to valid claims of a holder |
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of a final judgment who has, by levy or other legal process, |
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obtained rights superior to those that would otherwise be held by a |
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trustee in bankruptcy if a bankruptcy petition were then pending |
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against the debtor. That property is subject to the law as it |
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existed immediately before the effective date of this Act, and the |
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prior law is continued in effect for that purpose. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2007. |