Bill Text: TX SB29 | 2023-2024 | 88th Legislature | Engrossed

NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft

---

Bill Title: Relating to prohibited governmental entity implementation or enforcement of a vaccine mandate, mask requirement, or private business or school closure to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 20-1)

Status: (Passed) 2023-06-02 - Effective on 9/1/23 [SB29 Detail]

Download: Texas-2023-SB29-Engrossed.html

---

By: Birdwell, et al. S.B. No. 29

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to prohibited governmental entity implementation or
enforcement of a vaccine mandate, mask requirement, or private
business or school closure to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subtitle D, Title 2, Health and Safety Code, is
amended by adding Chapter 81B to read as follows:
CHAPTER 81B. PROHIBITED CORONAVIRUS PREVENTATIVE MEASURES
Sec. 81B.001. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter:
(1) "COVID-19" means the 2019 novel coronavirus
disease and any variants of the disease.
(2) "Governmental entity" means this state, a local
government entity as defined by Section 418.004, Government Code,
or an agency of this state or a local government entity.
Sec. 81B.002. PROHIBITED FACE-COVERING MANDATE. A
governmental entity may not implement, order, or otherwise impose a
mandate requiring a person to wear a face mask or other face
covering to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Sec. 81B.003. PROHIBITED VACCINE MANDATE. A governmental
entity may not implement, order, or otherwise impose a mandate
requiring a person to be vaccinated against COVID-19.
Sec. 81B.004. PROHIBITED CLOSURE MANDATE FOR PRIVATE
BUSINESSES AND SCHOOLS. A governmental entity may not implement,
order, or otherwise impose a mandate requiring the closure of a
private business, public school, open-enrollment charter school,
or private school to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect September 1, 2023.