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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the rights of certain religious organizations and |
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individuals relating to a marriage that violates a sincerely held |
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religious belief. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Chapter 2, Family Code, is amended by adding |
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Subchapter G to read as follows: |
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SUBCHAPTER G. FREEDOM OF RELIGION WITH RESPECT TO RECOGNIZING OR |
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PERFORMING CERTAIN MARRIAGES |
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Sec. 2.601. RIGHTS OF CERTAIN RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS. A |
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religious organization, an organization supervised or controlled |
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by or in connection with a religious organization, an individual |
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employed by a religious organization while acting in the scope of |
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that employment, or a clergy or minister may not be required to |
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solemnize any marriage, provide services, accommodations, |
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facilities, goods, or privileges for a purpose related to the |
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solemnization, formation, or celebration of any marriage, or treat |
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any marriage as valid for any purpose if the action would cause the |
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organization or individual to violate a sincerely held religious |
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belief. |
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Sec. 2.602. DISCRIMINATION AGAINST RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATION |
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PROHIBITED. A refusal to provide services, accommodations, |
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facilities, goods, or privileges under Section 2.601 is not the |
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basis for a civil or criminal cause of action or any other action by |
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this state or a political subdivision of this state to penalize or |
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withhold benefits or privileges, including tax exemptions or |
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governmental contracts, grants, or licenses, from any protected |
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organization or individual. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
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a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as |
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provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this |
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Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
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Act takes effect September 1, 2015. |