85R1201 SCL-D     By: Geren, Bonnen of Brazoria H.B. No. 3956       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to a privilege from disclosure to governmental units for   certain evidence concerning sermons delivered by a religious   leader.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Title 6, Civil Practice and Remedies Code, is   amended by adding Chapter 150A to read as follows:   CHAPTER 150A. DISCOVERY BY GOVERNMENTAL UNIT          Sec. 150A.001.  DEFINITIONS. In this chapter:                (1)  "Governmental unit" has the meaning assigned by   Section 101.001.                (2)  "Religious organization" means an organization   that qualifies as a religious organization under Section 11.20, Tax   Code.                (3)  "Religious worship" has the meaning assigned by   Section 11.20, Tax Code.          Sec. 150A.002.  SERMONS PRIVILEGED FROM DISCLOSURE TO   GOVERNMENTAL UNIT. A governmental unit may not, in any civil action   or other civil or administrative proceeding to which the   governmental unit is a party, compel the production or disclosure   of a written copy or audio or video recording of a sermon delivered   by a religious leader during religious worship of a religious   organization or compel the religious leader to testify regarding   the sermon.          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, 2017.