Sec. 2401.002. ESSENTIAL BUSINESS; PROHIBITED RESTRICTIONS. (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.
Added by Acts 2021, 87th Leg., R.S., Ch. 920 (H.B. 525), Sec. 1, eff. June 18, 2021.