Bill Text: TX HJR59 | 2013-2014 | 83rd Legislature | Comm Sub
Bill Title: Proposing a constitutional amendment relating to the rights of individuals to choose or decline to choose health insurance coverage.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 14-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2013-04-25 - Committee report sent to Calendars [HJR59 Detail]
Download: Texas-2013-HJR59-Comm_Sub.html
| 83R9046 PMO-D | |||
| By: Creighton, King of Taylor, et al. | H.J.R. No. 59 | ||
| Substitute the following for H.J.R. No. 59: | |||
| By: Burkett | C.S.H.J.R. No. 59 | ||
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| proposing a constitutional amendment relating to the rights of | ||
| individuals to choose or decline to choose health insurance | ||
| coverage. | ||
| BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: | ||
| SECTION 1. Article I, Texas Constitution, is amended by | ||
| adding Section 34 to read as follows: | ||
| Sec. 34. (a) Each individual in this state has the right to | ||
| choose or decline to choose health insurance coverage without | ||
| penalty or sanction or threat of penalty or sanction. | ||
| (b) A state agency, public official, employee, or political | ||
| subdivision of this state may not act to impose, collect, enforce, | ||
| or effectuate a penalty or sanction intended to punish or | ||
| discourage the exercise of the right described by Subsection (a) of | ||
| this section. | ||
| (c) This section may not be construed to impair: | ||
| (1) any right of contract related to the provision of | ||
| health insurance coverage to any individual or group; or | ||
| (2) the establishment or enforcement of a court or | ||
| administrative order for the medical support of a child. | ||
| (d) For purposes of this section, "penalty or sanction" | ||
| includes any civil or criminal fine, administrative penalty, | ||
| license suspension or revocation, suspension or revocation of the | ||
| authority to engage in business in this state, tax, salary or wage | ||
| withholding or garnishment, surcharge, or fee, or any other | ||
| consequence imposed to punish or discourage the exercise of rights | ||
| protected under Subsection (a) of this section. | ||
| SECTION 2. This proposed constitutional amendment shall be | ||
| submitted to the voters at an election to be held November 5, 2013. | ||
| The ballot shall be printed to provide for voting for or against the | ||
| proposition: "The constitutional amendment providing individuals | ||
| the right to choose or decline to choose health insurance coverage | ||
| without penalty or sanction or threat of penalty or sanction." | ||
