HJR 62 -- RELIGIOUS FREEDOM IN PUBLIC PLACES

SPONSOR:  McGhee

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Special Committee on
General Laws by a vote of 11 to 3.

Upon voter approval, this proposed constitutional amendment
guarantees a citizen's First Amendment right to pray and worship
in all public areas including schools as long as the activities
are voluntary and subject to the same rules and regulations that
apply to all other types of speech.

A citizen's right to choose any religion or no religion at all is
reaffirmed by prohibiting the establishment of an official state
religion and the state from coercing any person to participate in
any prayer or other religious activity.

Public schools receiving state funds are required to display the
text of the Bill of Rights of the Constitution of the United
States in a conspicuous and legible manner.

The resolution also reaffirms the right of employees and elected
officials of the State of Missouri to pray on government premises
and public property and ensures the General Assembly and other
political subdivisions the right to have ministers and clergymen
offer prayers or invocations at meetings or sessions of the
General Assembly or other governing bodies.

The resolution does not expand the religious rights of prisoners
beyond those guaranteed by existing federal laws.

FISCAL NOTE:  Estimated Effect on General Revenue Fund of an
income of $0 or a cost of More than $7,000,000 in FY 2011, an
income of $0 in FY 2012, and an income of $0 in FY 2013.  No
impact on Other State Funds in FY 2011, FY 2012, and FY 2013.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that the bill will help educate the
public about existing religious freedoms and ensure that
violations of the law do not continue to happen.

Testifying for the bill were Representative McGhee; Missouri
Family Network; and Bruce Petrov.

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

Missouri House of Representatives
95th General Assembly, 2nd Regular Session
Last Updated September 14, 2010 at 3:14 pm