Committee unanimously approves legislative measure.
A Missouri Senate committee has endorsed legislation that protects religious freedoms.
The Committee on General Laws approved the resolution 5-0 last week. It was sponsored by Sen. Delbert Scott.
Joe Ortwerth, executive director of the Missouri Family Policy Council, said his group promoted Senate Joint Resolution 31, because groups such as the American Civil Liberties Union, for example, are trying to convince public school officials that freedom of religious expression cannot be permitted in public settings.
“Our goal here in Missouri,” he said, “is to clarify – in our constitution – the extent of the religious liberties that are enjoyed by our citizens and guaranteed by our bill of rights.”
If the proposal passes this session, it would go on the August or November ballot.
Bruce Hausknecht, judicial analyst with Focus on the Family Action, said local school boards rarely have a complete understanding of the First Amendment.
“If they can read it in their own state constitution,” he said, “it gives students and citizens of that state that much more chance of being protected.”
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