On June 18, Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed HB 525 (full text) which prohibits the state from restricting activities of religious organizations during a state of emergency. It provides in part:
(a) Notwithstanding any other law, a religious organization is an essential business at all times in this state, including during a declared state of disaster, and the organization ’s religious and other related activities are essential activities even if the activities are not listed as essential in an order issued during the disaster.
(b) A governmental entity may not: (1)At any time, including during a declared state of disaster, prohibit a religious organization from engaging in religious and other related activities or continuing to operate in the discharge of the organization ’s foundational faith-based mission and purpose; or
(2) during a declared state of disaster order a religious organization to close or otherwise alter the organization ’s purposes or activities.
The Texan reports on the new law.
