The bill, 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. Specifically, the bill 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.

The new legal language inserted into the bill clarifies that the prohibition on cooperation with federal immigration officers applies specifically to activities at domestic violence shelters, thereby enhancing protections for individuals seeking refuge from domestic violence. The bill aims to ensure that victims of domestic violence can access shelter services without fear of immigration enforcement. The act will take effect immediately upon receiving a two-thirds vote from both houses or on September 1, 2025, if such a vote is not achieved.

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