The bill amends the Government Code and the Health and Safety Code to establish limitations on public health directives issued during a state of disaster or outbreak of a communicable disease. Specifically, it introduces Section 418.0165 to the Government Code and Section 81.018 to the Health and Safety Code, which stipulate that the governor, the department, or a health authority may only issue public health directives that are not more stringent than those for undocumented immigrants as set by the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

These provisions aim to ensure that any public health measures taken during emergencies align with federal guidelines regarding undocumented immigrants. The changes will apply only to directives issued after the effective date of the Act, which will take effect immediately if it receives a two-thirds majority vote in both houses of the Texas Legislature; otherwise, it will take effect on September 1, 2025.

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