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HB 1306

CONCERNING CIVIL IMMUNITY FOR A CHURCH OR OTHER PLACE OF WORSHIP; AND TO PROVIDE CIVIL IMMUNITY FOR VOLUNTEER SECURITY PERSONNEL IN A CHURCH OR OTHER PLACE OF WORSHIP.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Rick Beck and 9 co-sponsors

House Bill 1306 aimed to grant civil immunity to churches and volunteer security personnel, encouraging safety while protecting them from liability during security services.

WITHDRAWN BY AUTHOR
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 1306

Summary of House Bill 1306

Bill Information

  • Bill Number: HB 1306
  • Title: Concerning Civil Immunity for a Church or Other Place of Worship; and to Provide Civil Immunity for Volunteer Security Personnel in a Church or Other Place of Worship.
  • Status: Withdrawn by Author
  • Introduced: January 29, 2025
  • Classification: Bill

Purpose and Intent

House Bill 1306 aimed to provide civil immunity to churches and other places of worship, as well as to volunteer security personnel serving these institutions. The intent was to protect these entities and individuals from civil liability for damages, injuries, or deaths that might occur during the provision of security services, thereby encouraging the presence of volunteer security in places of worship.

Key Provisions

The bill included several significant provisions:

  1. Definition of Volunteer Security Personnel:

    • The bill defined "volunteer security person" as an individual providing safety, security, or protection for a church or place of worship, authorized by the institution, and acting without expectation of payment.

  2. Civil Immunity:

    • The bill proposed that neither the volunteer security personnel nor the church would be liable for damages resulting from negligent acts or omissions while providing security services, provided certain conditions were met.
    • Civil immunity would extend to actions involving the use of nonlethal or lethal force in the course of providing security.

  3. Training Requirements:

    • To qualify for civil immunity, the church or place of worship would need to require "adequate training" for volunteer security personnel, and those individuals must complete the training.

  4. Exclusions from Immunity:

    • The immunity would not apply in cases of intentional, reckless, or grossly negligent conduct.

Affected Parties

  • Churches and Places of Worship: The bill would have provided legal protection to these entities, potentially reducing their liability in incidents involving security personnel.
  • Volunteer Security Personnel: Individuals serving in security roles would have been protected from civil lawsuits related to their actions while on duty, provided they met training requirements.

Legislative Timeline

  • January 29, 2025: Bill filed and read for the first time.
  • March 13, 2025: The bill was read a second time, amended, and ordered engrossed.
  • April 10, 2025: The bill was withdrawn by the author.

Conclusion

While House Bill 1306 was designed to enhance the safety and security of churches and other places of worship by providing civil immunity to volunteer security personnel, it was ultimately withdrawn before further legislative action could take place. The proposed changes highlighted ongoing discussions about liability and security in community spaces.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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