Signed by Governor Greg Abbott

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that prohibits governmental entities from discriminating against child welfare services providers on the basis that such provider has declined services that conflict with their religious beliefs.

Highlights:

• Prohibits any governmental entity from discriminating or taking adverse action against and child welfare services provider on the basis that such provider engages in any of the following (Sec. 1):

• Declines or intends to decline services that conflict with their sincerely held religious beliefs;

• Provides or intends to provide children under their care with a religious education; or

• Declines or intends to decline to provide or facilitate abortions or contraceptives.

• Specifies that no child welfare services provider may be required to provide services that conflict with their sincerely held religious beliefs (Sec. 1).

• Requires a child welfare services provider who denies services to provide the individual seeking such services with at least one of the following (Sec. 1):

• Written information directing the individual to the Department of Family and Protective Services web page which includes a list of child welfare services providers;

• A referral to another child welfare services provider who provides the service being denied; or

• A referral to the Department for assistance in locating a provider who provides the service being denied.

Full Bill Text