Texas ‘Professional Right of Conscience for Wedding Ceremonies Act’ (HB 2876)

This law was last updated on Dec 7, 2017

State

Texas

Number

HB 2876

Status

Failed to Pass

Proposed

Mar 3, 2017

Topics

Conscience and Refusal Clauses, LGBTQ, Religious Freedom

Full Bill Text

www.legis.state.tx.us

HB 2876 would permit a wedding industry professional or an individual employed by a wedding industry professional to refuse to sell, rent, or otherwise provide goods, services, accommodations, or facilities for a purpose related to the solemnization, formation, or celebration of any marriage if the action would cause the wedding industry professional or employee to violate a sincerely held religious belief.

The bill defines wedding industry professional to mean:

A person who offers for sale or rent or sells or rents goods, services, accommodations, or facilities for a purpose related to the solemnization, formation, or celebration of any marriage. The term includes a wedding planner, baker, caterer, photographer, videographer, disc jockey, decorator, and wedding venue owner or operator.

The bill would prohibit the state from taking any adverse action against a person for refusing to provide goods, services, accommodations, or facilities due to a sincerely held religious belief.