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Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has directed Texas state senators to examine ways to expand the role of religion across public institutions, including schools, workplaces, government offices and healthcare settings. The seven new interim charges released Monday direct lawmakers to review existing laws on religious liberty and consider whether additional protections are needed beyond those already provided by the First Amendment's establishment and free exercise clauses.

One charge specifically asks senators to compare state and federal statutes and determine if Texas needs stronger measures to shield religious practices. Another directs an assessment of how to better inform residents about exercising faith in everyday environments. A third charge requires a review of a 2025 law that permits public schools to excuse student absences for off-campus religious instruction.

Patrick, who has long advocated for conservative policies that blend faith and governance, framed the directives as necessary to safeguard religious freedoms. The assignments fall under the Senate Committee on State Affairs, giving Republican majorities broad latitude to shape recommendations before the Legislature reconvenes.

Critics argue the move represents a deliberate effort to erode the separation between church and state. They point to the explicit language calling for religion in "all settings" as evidence of an intent to prioritize one set of beliefs in taxpayer-funded spaces. Past efforts in Texas to introduce religious elements into public education, such as school prayer proposals and Bible-infused curriculum, have repeatedly faced legal challenges on constitutional grounds.

The timing of the charges coincides with ongoing national debates over the limits of religious exemptions in areas like healthcare and employment. Similar initiatives in other states have led to disputes involving access to services and potential discrimination against nonreligious individuals or those of minority faiths. Texas lawmakers have not yet outlined how they will measure public support or address concerns from civil liberties groups.

Patrick's directives also come amid broader Republican efforts in the state to influence cultural and educational policy. Earlier sessions saw measures expanding parental oversight of school materials and restricting certain teachings on history and identity. The new study assignments could produce legislative proposals that further embed religious considerations into routine government functions.

State officials have not indicated whether the reviews will include input from religious minorities, secular organizations or legal experts on constitutional boundaries. The process is expected to generate reports that could inform the next regular session, potentially leading to new statutes or funding priorities.

Advocates for strict church-state separation say the charges risk normalizing religious influence in areas where neutrality has long been the standard. They note that existing First Amendment protections already allow individuals to practice their faith without government endorsement. Expanding those boundaries, they warn, could invite lawsuits and deepen divisions in an increasingly diverse state.

The lieutenant governor's office has not responded to questions about how the studies will balance competing constitutional interests or prevent favoritism toward particular religions. Lawmakers assigned to the task now have months to gather data and draft findings before any formal recommendations emerge.