Governor Abbott Signs Pastor Protection Act Into Law

Office of the Governor
Greg Abbott
The State of Texas
6/11/2015

Governor Greg Abbott today signed Senate Bill 2065 (Estes, R-Wichita Falls; Sanford, R-McKinney), the Pastor Protection Act, which protects religious organizations and individuals from performing marriage ceremonies that violate sincerely-held religious beliefs. Governor Abbott hosted the signing ceremony at the Texas Governor’s Mansion and was joined by members of the legislature who were instrumental in the passage of this legislation, as well as members from the clergy across Texas.

“Freedom of religion is the most sacred of our rights and our freedom to worship is secured by the Constitution,” said Governor Abbott. “Religious leaders in the State of Texas must be absolutely secure in the knowledge that religious freedom is beyond the reach of government or coercion by the courts. Today I am proud to sign into law SB 2065 – the Pastor Protection Act – to ensure that clergy in Texas cannot be forced to violate their religious beliefs.”