HB 919 -- RELIGIOUS FREEDOM

CO-SPONSORS:  May (108), Foley, Harlan, Fraser, Richardson

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Committee on Critical
Issues by a vote of 19 to 0.

This bill prohibits a governmental authority from restricting a
person's free exercise of religion unless the restriction is
generally applicable, does not discriminate based on religion,
is necessary to further a compelling governmental interest, and
is the least restrictive means of furthering that compelling
governmental interest.  The bill requires an analysis of every
bill introduced in the General Assembly to determine if it
complies with the bill's requirements.

FISCAL NOTE:  Net Cost to General Revenue Fund of $0 in FY 2000,
over $100,000 in FY 2001, and over $100,000 in FY 2002.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that this bill will emphasize the
importance of the free exercise of religion by requiring an
analysis of governmental burdens on religious practice and
allowing those burdens only when there is a compelling interest.

Testifying for the bill were Representative May (108); St. Louis
Metropolitan Baptist Association; Americans United for
Separation of Church and State; Anti-Defamation League of
Missouri; Jewish Community Relations Council of Missouri; and
Missouri Family Network.

OPPONENTS:  Those who oppose the bill say that the provisions of
this bill will make it difficult for government to place any
restrictions on religious practice and that will cause safety
problems, especially in prisons.

Testifying against the bill were Department of Corrections; and
Attorney General's Office.

Katharine Hickel Barondeau, Legislative Analyst

HB 919 -- Religious Freedom

Co-Sponsors:  May (108), Foley, Harlan, Fraser, Richardson

This bill prohibits a governmental authority from restricting a
person's free exercise of religion unless the restriction is
generally applicable, does not discriminate based on religion,
is necessary to further a compelling governmental interest, and
is the least restrictive means of furthering that compelling
governmental interest.  The bill requires an analysis of every
bill introduced in the General Assembly to determine if it
complies with the bill's requirements.