In just a few weeks Texas churches and religious groups will have more protections when it comes to threats made against congregations.
Senate Bill 694, authored by East Texas state Sen. Bryan Hughes passed this legislative session and extends civil liability to anyone who has to use force during a church or religious service.
Under the new law if someone is working as a security team at a house of worship, and someone pulls a gun, the security person cannot be sued for using deadly force. The religious organization is also protected from any liability.
Hundreds of religious leaders from across Texas recently attended a security conference at Green Acres Baptist Church in Tyler to go over details of the new law that was signed by Governor Abbott.
"It's really good for a lot of smaller churches that don't have liability insurance policies or their security team members are not covered by any insurance or anything," says Mike Collins, president and founder of the Texas Church Security Coalition. "This new law allows them to take advantage of this where they cannot be sued civilly for anything that occurs while defending the church in a security-related matter."
"As religious organizations seek to protect themselves, immunity from civil liability is an important consideration" said Texas State Rep. Jeff Leach during the bill's debate.
In order to be protected, the security team members must be hired employees or volunteer with specific paperwork to prove it. The new law takes effect September 1st.
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