HB99 Alabama 2024 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Kenneth Paschal Representative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2024

Title

Religious Organizations, Protect operations during a state of emergency

Description

Existing law recognizes that a church, synagogue, or other religious institution may function during a state of emergency proclaimed under the Alabama Emergency Management Act of 1955 if the religious institution complies with any safety precautions issued by state or local government to prevent a threat such as a pandemic.

This bill would provide that a religious institution may not be burdened with public safety precautions that are more restrictive than those that apply to a non-religious organization that provides essential services to the public, and that any precautions that substantially interfere with a religious institution's activities must be the least restrictive means to further a compelling governmental interest.

This bill would further prohibit the state and any local government from discriminating against a religious institution for operating during a state of emergency, and would provide that a religious institution may petition a civil court to prevent or halt the discriminatory action or to award money damages for a violation.

HB99 INTRODUCED.

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Subjects

Discrimination & Civil Protections