Summary of Texas ‘Free to Believe Act’ (HB 1035) bill

Summary of Texas ‘Free to Believe Act’ (HB 1035) bill

Introduction

Texas ‘Free to Believe Act’ (HB 1035) bill concerned in ruling about religious and moral convictions under which the law protects such beliefs. The Bill held that marriage was to be regarded as the union between one man and one woman. Moreover, the Bill contained that when referring to males and females, it is relying on the biological sex determined by genetics during birth time. A critical concern of the HB 1035 bill is chapter B: Discriminatory action by governmental entity prohibited. The chapter limits the discriminatory actions to the activities relating to religion (Tomlinson, 2015). The section prevents government entities from taking any acts of discrimination against religious concerns. The ruling leading to protecting any form discriminations holds that the activities consisted of the organization activities are protected the chapter.

Among the religious beliefs and moral convictions protected by Chapter B of the Bill include; Employment decisions. The chapter protects the religious organization to any decision they make when recruiting a candidate for a particular job (Tomlinson, 2015). According to chapter B, section A, any religion is allowed not to hire a person who does not consist of their beliefs. Thus, the government has no entity to such decisions. Second, the Bill prohibits the government from taking actions on religious activities such as sale, rental events in the religion.

Furthermore, the Bill rules on adoption and care, fostering activities held by religions. The chapter prevents the government from imposing discriminatory actions on such events. Therefore, a religious organization is allowed to advertise on promoting care provided the organization is consisted of whatever they are doing. Thus, religious organizations are capable of fostering care or declining it and other services (Tomlinson, 2015). Besides that, the Bill holds that government entities are prevented from imposing discrimination action to any person given the mandate to foster. According to the law, an individual granted the role to promote a focus on providing instructions, guidance and is consisted as per the moral convictions implemented on the Bill.

Current status

The position of chapter B: Discriminatory action by governmental entity prohibited, today seems to have degraded in that there more cases of discrimination particular in employments. The bill advocates for nondiscrimination society and bans government agencies from taking action to sanction religious organization activities. As a result, more cases have grown to high ranks as a result of religious beliefs (Gostin, 2019). The Bill seems to have failed to achieve its primary goal of reducing discrimination in the nation. Currently, the Bill is practiced in what is referred to as Title VII, that prohibited discrimination. The Bill prohibits discrimination, especially in employment status. Discrimination based on race, background culture or ethnic group

Legislative purpose

The legislative purpose provided in the “Texas ‘Free to Believe Act’ (HB 1035)” is mainly to prevent any form of discrimination among Americans and track freedom to every individual in the nation. Additionally, the legislative is also concerned with gender. Basing on gender identity, the legal hold that there should discrimination imposed by the government on basis sex transitioning. Discrimination should not be practiced to any individual basically because of their gender identity. Treatment, psychological counseling services should not be discriminated against individuals regardless of their gender identity (Keith, 2019). The Bill also is implemented to ensure freedom in religious organizations by preventing government agencies from nullifying their working licenses. Thus, it purposed to avoid any discrimination in society. Last, the legislative also aimed at marriage-related issues, and thus the Bill prevented state agencies from taking action on discriminatory for solemnization reasons. Additionally, the law also prohibits the government from taking discriminatory steps on wedding arrangements, for instance, rentals, among others.

Local state representatives’ position regarding this Bill

The representatives’ view on the law seems to support it by preamble as their standing. The local state representatives’ believe that the government’s existence is mainly to serve her citizens. The representatives recognize equality for all individuals, and thus the Bill will ensure protections to moral convictions. Thus equal chances are to be provided to all individuals regardless of their race; religion sexual identity, therefore, prohibits discrimination of any kind. Additionally, the local state representatives’ also believe that Bill will ensure freedom protection to citizens (Roper, 2017). The local state representatives’ belief creating freedom on religious beliefs is an achievement to equality in the nation. The bill purpose of boosting the freedom and justice of civilians aligns with the beliefs of local representatives’

Opponents’ position regarding this Bill

Although the majority of the Senate passed the Bill, it also has some opponents provoking the law. The opponents of the Bill argue that the legislation was vague and, therefore, unlawful according to the constitution. The opponents also argued that the statement showed no respect for the constitution by implementing the law based on religious belief only. According to the opponents, the Bill was shortening the speech granted to individuals. The opponents argued that individuals had the freedom to speech and address government on the grievances (Gostin, 2019). Thus the Bill would be against citizen’s constitutional rights by abridging speech. The proponents advocate that the law would punish discrimination to Texan, and opponents criticize that by claiming it as a “bigot bill.” According to them, the Bill is concerned with religious freedom, especially to those individuals that believe in marriage.

Opinion and position on the Bill

Basing chapter B of Texas ‘Free to Believe Act’ (HB 1035) bill it shows the laws that rely a lot on religious beliefs only. Thus, it does not allow other individuals who don’t believe in religion. Although preventing discrimination is a good practice that would enhance equity and freedom to individuals is only centered on religious beliefs. The Bill should incorporate all parties and not rely upon religion perspective only. The Bill denies the government to exercise the power of any unlawful activities that may take place on the roots of religious beliefs.