H.B. No. 5234 amends Section 752.053(c) of the Government Code to provide an exception for local entities and campus police departments regarding their obligations to assist or cooperate with federal immigration officers. The bill specifically allows these entities to prohibit their employees from assisting federal immigration officers in matters related to activities occurring at domestic violence shelters, in addition to places of worship. This change aims to enhance the safety and confidentiality of individuals seeking help at domestic violence shelters by ensuring that their interactions with these facilities are not subject to federal immigration enforcement.

The bill modifies the existing law by inserting provisions that explicitly mention domestic violence shelters as a protected space where cooperation with federal immigration officers is not required. It removes the previous language that limited the prohibition to only places of worship, thereby broadening the scope of protection for vulnerable populations seeking assistance in these critical environments. The act is set to take effect immediately upon receiving a two-thirds vote from both houses of the legislature or on September 1, 2025, if such a vote is not achieved.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Government Code 752.053 (Government Code 752)