Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that prohibits the state from closing churches during emergency declarations.

Highlights:

• Defines “religious service” as a meeting, gathering, or assembly of two or more persons organized by a religious organization for worship, teaching, training, providing educational services, conducting religious rituals, or involving the exercising of the right to practice religion (Sec. 2-4).

• Rescinds the governor’s ability to prohibit or limit a religious organization from continuing to operate or engage in religious services during a disaster emergency (Sec. 2.b-1)

• Prohibits the governor from taking a discriminatory action under this subchapter against a religious organization wholly or partially on the basis that the religious organization (Sec. 2-4):

• Is religious;

• Operates or seeks to operate during a disaster emergency; or

• Engages in the exercising of the right to practice religion protected by the First Amendment to the United States Constitution.

• Specifies a religious organization that successfully asserts a claim or defense under this section may recover (Sec. 2-3):

• Declaratory relief;

• Injunctive relief to prevent or remedy a violation or the effect of a violation of this section;

• Compensatory damages for pecuniary and non-pecuniary losses;

• Reasonable attorney's fees and costs; and

• Any other appropriate relief.

• Classifies “religious organization” as (Sec. 3-2):

• A house of worship, including without limitation a church, synagogue, shrine, mosque, or temple;

• A religious group, corporation, association, educational institution, ministry, order, society, or similar entity, without regard to whether the entity is integrated or affiliated with a house of worship; or

• An officer, owner, employee, manager, religious leader, clergy, or minister of an entity or organization

Full Bill Text