Texas Statutes
Subchapter A. Regulation by Municipalities in General
Section 215.006. Church Providing Overnight Shelter

Sec. 215.006. CHURCH PROVIDING OVERNIGHT SHELTER. (a) In this section:
(1) "Church" means a facility that is owned by a religious organization and that is used primarily for religious services.
(2) "Religious organization" means an organization that meets the standards for qualification as a religious organization under Section 11.20, Tax Code.
(b) A municipality may not adopt an ordinance, or enforce an existing ordinance, that prohibits a church from providing overnight shelter for children 17 years of age and younger.
(c) A municipal ordinance or regulation that relates to the safe and sanitary operation of a homeless shelter for children applies to a church that provides overnight shelter for children.
(d) A municipality may adopt or enforce an ordinance establishing limits on the number of nights a child may use an overnight shelter provided by a church or on the number of children that can be housed in the shelter per night.
Added by Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 533 (H.B. 1558), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2015.

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