HJR 19 -- RELIGIOUS FREEDOM IN PUBLIC PLACES

SPONSOR:  Bearden

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Special Committee on
General Laws by a vote of 6 to 1.

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.

The amendment also reaffirms a citizen's right to choose any
religion or no religion at all by prohibiting both the
establishment of an official state religion and any state
coercion or endorsement of religion through practices as
composing official state prayers.

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

FISCAL NOTE:  No impact on state funds in FY 2008, FY 2009, and
FY 2010.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that the bill will assure the
religious freedoms of those people praying in public places, such
as schools and government buildings.  The provision requiring
public schools to display the text of the First Amendment will
increase public awareness of an individual's rights to engage in
private and voluntary prayer during school hours.  The bill also
clarifies 40 years of confusion regarding acceptable school
prayer that has existed since the United States Supreme Court
started to hear cases regarding prayer in school.

Testifying for the bill were Representative Bearden; and Missouri
Baptist Convention, Christian Life Commission.

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

Missouri House of Representatives
94th General Assembly, 1st Regular Session
Last Updated July 25, 2007 at 11:21 am