Texas Bill Regarding the Violation of Religious Beliefs (HB 3571)

HB 3571 would prohibit local governments from imposing a fine or other penalty against a person for violation of an ordinance, order, or other measure that prohibits discrimination on a basis other than race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, or disability if compliance with the measure would have required the person to violate their sincerely held religious belief.

The bill would establish an affirmative defense to a civil action based on a claim that the defendant discriminated against the plaintiff on a basis other than race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, or disability that the defendant could not avoid the cause of action without violating the defendant’s sincerely held religious belief.

If passed, an individual or business would be able to discriminate against members of the LGBTQ community without fear of any repercussions.

People