SPONSOR: Loy
This bill establishes the "Missouri Religious Freedom Protection Act". The bill specifies that no public official may issue an order that has the effect of limiting or prohibiting a religious group or place of worship from holding religious services or meetings.
This prohibition does not apply to religious groups using places of worship to intentionally commit or plan acts of violence. This prohibition also does not apply to emergency evacuation orders involving imminent danger from flooding, fires, tornadoes, earthquakes, or hazardous materials incidents. Once the imminent danger has passed, religious services must be allowed to resume.
This prohibition is not to be interpreted to exempt places of worship from complying with applicable building and fire codes.
This bill is the same as HB 1959 (2024) and HB 293 (2023).
Statutes affected: