Texas Legislature Finishes Session with Religious Freedom and Life Protections

This week the 2021 87th Legislative Session finished on Monday, May 31st. Texas legislators finished strong with protections for religious freedom and the sanctity of human life.  Just last week, the legislature passed the Freedom to Worship Act (HB 1239) by Rep. Scott Sanford and Sen. Angela Paxton which makes it clear that government agencies and local officials cannot abuse their power and shut down places of worship.  The week before, Gov. Abbott signed the Texas Heartbeat Act (SB 8) by Sen. Bryan Hughes and Rep. Shelby Slawson that prohibits abortions after the detection of a preborn child’s heartbeat.

“Religious Liberty and the protection of life were ‘essential’ themes this legislative session, with the passage for the Freedom to Worship Act and the Texas Heartbeat Act.  Two things are now clear in Texas law: you can’t stop a church from the meeting, and you can’t stop a baby’s heartbeat from beating. We thank many elected officials for their leadership, but know there is still important work to complete in an upcoming special session,” said Jonathan Saenz, president, and attorney for Texas Values.

A Second Chance at Protecting Women's Sports and Protecting Children Against Gender Modification in Texas?

There were historic victories this 87th session but unfortunately, other notable common-sense legislation failed to make it to Gov. Greg Abbott’s desk. Bills like HB 1399 by Rep. Matt Krause and SB 1311 by Sen. Bob Hall which would ban gender modification surgeries on and giving puberty blockers to children failed. Also, bills protecting fairness in women’s sports like SB 29 by Sen. Charles Perry and HB 4042 by Rep. Cole Hefner failed. Each of these bills protecting women and children failed to pass the House even though they passed the Senate. 

After two of Gov. Greg Abbott’s emergency priority bills on election integrity and bail reform also failed to pass the House; he publicly noted that there will be a second special session specifically to get these done. The Governor sets the agenda for the special session which he has yet to do. Because of this, there’s a possibility that Republican priority bills like banning gender modification for minors and protecting women’s sports could make it into the special session. This would give the Texas Legislature another opportunity to safeguard women and children in Texas.

Join us as we hit the road around Texas to do our session recap, hear from some great speakers, and enjoy time together.  

FORT WORTH: Wednesday, June 16, 2021, 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM 
Fort Worth Dinner & Session Recap
Join our Fort Worth Dinner with special guests Claire Culwell, Janet Porter, and author of the Texas Heartbeat bill TX Representative Shelby Slawson! There are only a few tickets left for this event before we are sold out! 

HOUSTON: Monday, June 21, 2021, 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM 
Houston Faith & Family Luncheon
Join our Houston Faith & Family Luncheon with special guest conservative talk show host and #1 Amazon bestseller, Steve Deace! Invite friends and family, you won't want to miss this!

DALLAS: Wednesday, June 23, 2021, 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM 
Dallas Fundraising Luncheon & Recap
Join our Dallas Fundraising Luncheon to learn about what we are doing in the state and a Texas Legislative Session recap with Jonathan Saenz and Texas Rep Matt Shaheen!

SAN ANTONIO: Monday, June 28, 2021, 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM
San Antonio Reception & Session Recap
Join our San Antonio Luncheon for our luncheon and a Texas Legislative Session recap!

To register for any of these events, please click here.