84R9009 DDT-D
 
  By: White of Bell H.B. No. 2553
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to a private business owner's right to choose whether to
  provide goods or services.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Title 12, Business & Commerce Code, is amended by
  adding Chapter 606 to read as follows:
  CHAPTER 606. PRIVATE BUSINESS OWNER'S CHOICE TO PROVIDE GOODS OR
  SERVICES
         Sec. 606.001.  RIGHT TO REFUSE TO PROVIDE GOODS OR SERVICES.
  (a) A private business owner may refuse to provide goods or services
  to any person based on a sincerely held religious belief or on
  conscientious grounds.
         (b)  A private business owner may not:
               (1)  be compelled to provide goods or services in
  violation of that business owner's sincerely held religious or
  personal belief; or
               (2)  be held liable for refusing to provide goods or
  services to any person based on a sincerely held religious belief or
  on conscientious grounds.
         SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2015.