In this chapter:

1. (1) "Adverse action" means any action taken by a governmental entity to:

   1. (A) withhold, reduce, exclude, terminate, or otherwise deny any grant, contract, subcontract, cooperative agreement, loan, scholarship, license, registration, accreditation, employment, or other similar status from or to a person;
   2. (B) withhold, reduce, exclude, terminate, or otherwise deny any benefit provided under a benefit program from or to a person;
   3. (C) alter in any way the tax treatment of, cause any tax, penalty, or payment assessment against, or deny, delay, or revoke a tax exemption of a person;
   4. (D) disallow a tax deduction for any charitable contribution made to or by a person;
   5. (E) deny admission to, equal treatment in, or eligibility for a degree from an educational program or institution to a person; or
   6. (F) withhold, reduce, exclude, terminate, or otherwise deny access to a property, educational institution, speech forum, or charitable fund-raising campaign from or to a person.
2. (2) "Benefit program" means any program administered or funded by a governmental entity or federal agency that provides assistance in the form of payments, grants, loans, or loan guarantees.

3. (3) "Governmental entity" means:

   1. (A) this state;
   2. (B) a board, commission, council, department, or other agency in the executive branch of state government that is created by the state constitution or a statute, including an institution of higher education as defined by Section 61.003, Education Code;
   3. (C) the legislature or a legislative agency;
   4. (D) a state judicial agency or the State Bar of Texas;
   5. (E) a political subdivision of this state, including a county, municipality, or special district or authority; or
   6. (F) an officer, employee, or agent of an entity described by Paragraphs (A)-(E).

4. (4) "Person" has the meaning assigned by Section 311.005, except the term does not include:

   1. (A) an employee of a governmental entity acting within the employee's scope of employment;
   2. (B) a contractor of a governmental entity acting within the scope of the contract; or
   3. (C) an individual or a medical or residential custodial health care facility while the individual or facility is providing medically necessary services to prevent another individual's death or imminent serious physical injury.
5. (5) "Religious organization" means an organization that is a religious organization under Section 110.011(b), Civil Practice and Remedies Code.

Added by Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 666 (S.B. 1978), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2019.