FIRST REGULAR SESSION

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 32

94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVES CUNNINGHAM (86) (Sponsor), DAVIS AND RUESTMAN (Co-sponsors).

              Read 1st time March 29, 2007 and copies ordered printed.

D. ADAM CRUMBLISS, Chief Clerk

2174L.01I

JOINT RESOLUTION

Submitting to the qualified voters of Missouri an amendment repealing sections 6 and 7 of article I of the Constitution of Missouri, and adopting two new sections in lieu thereof relating to public aid for religious purposes.

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring therein:

            That at the next general election to be held in the state of Missouri, on Tuesday next following the first Monday in November, 2008, or at a special election to be called by the governor for that purpose, there is hereby submitted to the qualified voters of this state, for adoption or rejection, the following amendment to article I of the Constitution of the state of Missouri:

            Section A. Sections 6 and 7, article I, Constitution of Missouri, are repealed and two new sections adopted in lieu thereof, to be known as sections 6 and 7, to read as follows:

            Section 6. That no person can be compelled to erect, support or attend any place or system of worship, or to maintain or support any priest, minister, preacher or teacher of any sect, church, creed or denomination of religion; but if any person shall voluntarily make a contract for any such object, he or she shall be held to the performance of the same. This section shall be construed to be no more restrictive than the First Amendment of the United States Constitution.

            Section 7. That no money shall ever be taken from the public treasury, directly or indirectly, in aid of any church, sect or denomination of religion, or in aid of any priest, preacher, minister or teacher thereof, as such; and that no preference shall be given to nor any discrimination made against any church, sect or creed of religion, or any form of religious faith or worship. This section shall be construed to be no more restrictive than the First Amendment of the United States Constitution.

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