Written by Don Byrd
[UPDATE: The House gave final passage to the bill, sending it to Governor Abbott, who is expected to sign it.]
The Texas House yesterday overwhelmingly (141 to 2) approved a bill designed to protect a minister’s right to refuse to perform a same-sex wedding ceremony that violates his or her sincerely held religious beliefs. Critics note that the bill also protects religious institutions and warned that the language would too broadly allow such institutions – including, perhaps religious hospitals and educational facilities – to refuse to honor same-sex marriages as valid.
The Dallas Morning-News reports:
[Sen. Craig] Estes’ bill would confer legal immunity on clergy and religious institutions if they refused to open facilities, provide services and sell goods to same-sex couples because it would violate “a sincerely held religious belief” to do so.
…
After filing the bill late, Estes — at [Lt. Gov. Dan] Patrick’s request . . . agreed to one change. He deleted a phrase saying clergy and religious institutions could refuse to treat a same-sex marriage “as valid for any purpose.”
Bill opponents warned those words could shield, say, a religious hospital from challenge if it barred a spouse legally married to someone of the same sex in another state from making medical decisions for a partner.
Following final House approval, the measure, which has already passed the Senate, is expected to be signed by Governor Abbott.
