- Committee -

SCS/SBs 958 & 657 - This act establishes the compelling interest test as the burden the state has in restricting the free exercise of religion. No governmental authority may restrict a person's free exercise of religion unless the restriction is one of general applicability and furthers a compelling governmental interest in the least restrictive means.

The act is identical to SB 337 (2001).

JIM ERTLE

SA 1 - NOTHING IN THE ACT SHALL BE CONSTRUED TO ESTABLISH OR ELIMINATE A DEFENSE TO A CIVIL ACTION OR CRIMINAL PROSECUTION BASED ON A FEDERAL, STATE OR LOCAL CIVIL RIGHTS LAW.

SA 2 - PROVIDES THAT THE COMPELLING STATE INTEREST TEST WILL APPLY TO LAWS INTERFERING WITH THE 2ND AMENDMENT OF THE U.S. CONSTITUTION AND ARTICLE I, SECTION 23 OF THE MISSOURI CONSTITUTION.