§ 84.0067.Liability Arising from Provision of Security Services to Religious Organization

An immunity notable for what it expressly includes.

A religious organization or its security personnel is immune from civil liability for any act or omission by the security personnel resulting in death, damage, or injury if the personnel were acting in the course and scope of their employment or volunteer duties to provide security services to the organization — including, notwithstanding the applicability section, an intentional act, and an act involving possession or use of a firearm.

The "notwithstanding" clause is the operative part. The chapter's applicability section says it does not apply to an act that is intentional, wilfully negligent, or done with conscious indifference. This section overrides that for security personnel.

The override is necessary for the immunity to mean anything. Security work is intentional by nature — restraining someone, using force, drawing a weapon are all deliberate acts, and an immunity excluding intentional conduct would not cover the job.

The firearm clause makes the point explicit. Texas congregations may have armed volunteer security teams, and the provision covers possession and use.

"Security personnel" covers both an individual hired as an employee to provide security and a volunteer whose duties include providing security services, so a paid guard and a volunteer team member are treated alike.

"Religious organization" takes its meaning from the Religious Freedom chapter, and the course and scope requirement remains the boundary — conduct outside the security role is not covered.