Legislature Approves Religious Rights Bills

An effort to solidify the religious rights of Missourians has been approved by the Legislature and sent to Governor Bob Holden. Representative Richard Byrd of Kirkwood sponsors the bill entitled the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, which he says would prohibit state government from interfering with someone’s religious rights unless it could prove it has a compelling interest to do so. Byrd and other supporters contend the religious rights of Missourians have been eroded over the years. Byrd says the bill would give courts clear guidance on how to rule in church-state issues.