Missoula County opposes SB 215, Establish the religious freedom restoration act, up for hearing tomorrow morning in the House Judiciary Committee.
SB 215 could allow any person, corporation or other entity to claim an exemption from any law, policy or government regulation if the action might burden their religious expression. Simply put, this bill could allow the use of religion as an excuse to discriminate against and harm others.
Freedom of religion is one of our most fundamental rights as Americans, and it means that we all have a right to our religious beliefs, but this does not give anybody the right to use our religion to discriminate. Unlike our current constitutional protections, this new law would put an individual’s religious beliefs ahead of the common good and ahead of other people’s constitutional rights. If this bill becomes law anybody could question why they need to follow any of the statutes enacted by this body for the common good of all. This broadly and poorly written law could have all kinds of unintended consequences.
If passed someone could try to claim that the bill would allow: • Religiously affiliated schools to fire women because they became pregnant while not married; • A guidance counselor to refuse to help a gay student; • A man to claim that domestic violence and child abuse laws don’t apply to him because his religion teaches that a husband has the right to discipline his family; • An employer to justify racial discrimination in hiring; and, • Pharmacies to refuse filling birth control prescriptions.
SB 215 will result in costly lawsuits and increased costs to taxpayers. This could open religious exemption lawsuits challenging any law, policy, regulation, government action or decision that an individual sees as conflicting with their religious exercise. The offended person will be able to sue the state, county, city or school district for damages, injunction and attorney fees for offending their personal belief system.
This bill would be detrimental for businesses. The well-being of all Montanans, including LGBTQ people and other historically disenfranchised communities, directly impacts the growth and prosperity of our businesses, the productivity and retention of our employees, and the economic development of our state. Businesses and services that are open to the public should be open to everyone. Nobody should be turned away because of who they are. This is especially true in a rural state where access and options are limited.
Montana is dealing with layers of economic issues due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Legislators should make financial stability for working families a priority, not attempting to legalize discrimination.
Missoula County opposes SB 215: Establish the religious freedom restoration act, up for second reading today on the House floor.
SB 215 could allow any person, corporation or other entity to claim an exemption from any law, policy or government regulation if the action might burden their religious expression. Simply put, this bill could allow the use of religion as an excuse to discriminate against and harm others.
Freedom of religion is one of our most fundamental rights as Americans, and it means that we all have a right to our religious beliefs, but this does not give anybody the right to use our religion to discriminate. Unlike our current constitutional protections, this new law would put an individual’s religious beliefs ahead of the common good and ahead of other people’s constitutional rights. If this bill becomes law anybody could question why they need to follow any of the statutes enacted by this body for the common good of all. This broadly and poorly written law could have all kinds of unintended consequences.
If passed someone could try to claim that the bill would allow: • Religiously affiliated schools to fire women because they became pregnant while not married; • A guidance counselor to refuse to help a gay student; • A man to claim that domestic violence and child abuse laws don’t apply to him because his religion teaches that a husband has the right to discipline his family; • An employer to justify racial discrimination in hiring; and, • Pharmacies to refuse filling birth control prescriptions.
SB 215 will result in costly lawsuits and increased costs to taxpayers. This could open religious exemption lawsuits challenging any law, policy, regulation, government action or decision that an individual sees as conflicting with their religious exercise. The offended person will be able to sue the state, county, city or school district for damages, injunction and attorney fees for offending their personal belief system.
This bill would be detrimental for businesses. The well-being of all Montanans, including LGBTQ people and other historically disenfranchised communities, directly impacts the growth and prosperity of our businesses, the productivity and retention of our employees, and the economic development of our state. Businesses and services that are open to the public should be open to everyone. Nobody should be turned away because of who they are. This is especially true in a rural state where access and options are limited.
Montana is dealing with layers of economic issues due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Legislators should make financial stability for working families a priority, not attempting to legalize discrimination.
Sent March 10:
ReplyDeleteRepresentatives France and Tenenbaum,
Missoula County opposes SB 215, Establish the religious freedom restoration act, up for hearing tomorrow morning in the House Judiciary Committee.
SB 215 could allow any person, corporation or other entity to claim an exemption from any law, policy or government regulation if the action might burden their religious expression. Simply put, this bill could allow the use of religion as an excuse to discriminate against and harm others.
Freedom of religion is one of our most fundamental rights as Americans, and it means that we all have a right to our religious beliefs, but this does not give anybody the right to use our religion to discriminate. Unlike our current constitutional protections, this new law would put an individual’s religious beliefs ahead of the common good and ahead of other people’s constitutional rights. If this bill becomes law anybody could question why they need to follow any of the statutes enacted by this body for the common good of all. This broadly and poorly written law could have all kinds of unintended consequences.
If passed someone could try to claim that the bill would allow:
• Religiously affiliated schools to fire women because they became pregnant while not married;
• A guidance counselor to refuse to help a gay student;
• A man to claim that domestic violence and child abuse laws don’t apply to him because his religion teaches that a husband has the right to discipline his family;
• An employer to justify racial discrimination in hiring; and,
• Pharmacies to refuse filling birth control prescriptions.
SB 215 will result in costly lawsuits and increased costs to taxpayers. This could open religious exemption lawsuits challenging any law, policy, regulation, government action or decision that an individual sees as conflicting with their religious exercise. The offended person will be able to sue the state, county, city or school district for damages, injunction and attorney fees for offending their personal belief system.
This bill would be detrimental for businesses. The well-being of all Montanans, including LGBTQ people and other historically disenfranchised communities, directly impacts the growth and prosperity of our businesses, the productivity and retention of our employees, and the economic development of our state. Businesses and services that are open to the public should be open to everyone. Nobody should be turned away because of who they are. This is especially true in a rural state where access and options are limited.
Montana is dealing with layers of economic issues due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Legislators should make financial stability for working families a priority, not attempting to legalize discrimination.
Please oppose SB 215.
Sent March 30,
ReplyDeleteRepresentatives,
Missoula County opposes SB 215: Establish the religious freedom restoration act, up for second reading today on the House floor.
SB 215 could allow any person, corporation or other entity to claim an exemption from any law, policy or government regulation if the action might burden their religious expression. Simply put, this bill could allow the use of religion as an excuse to discriminate against and harm others.
Freedom of religion is one of our most fundamental rights as Americans, and it means that we all have a right to our religious beliefs, but this does not give anybody the right to use our religion to discriminate. Unlike our current constitutional protections, this new law would put an individual’s religious beliefs ahead of the common good and ahead of other people’s constitutional rights. If this bill becomes law anybody could question why they need to follow any of the statutes enacted by this body for the common good of all. This broadly and poorly written law could have all kinds of unintended consequences.
If passed someone could try to claim that the bill would allow:
• Religiously affiliated schools to fire women because they became pregnant while not married;
• A guidance counselor to refuse to help a gay student;
• A man to claim that domestic violence and child abuse laws don’t apply to him because his religion teaches that a husband has the right to discipline his family;
• An employer to justify racial discrimination in hiring; and,
• Pharmacies to refuse filling birth control prescriptions.
SB 215 will result in costly lawsuits and increased costs to taxpayers. This could open religious exemption lawsuits challenging any law, policy, regulation, government action or decision that an individual sees as conflicting with their religious exercise. The offended person will be able to sue the state, county, city or school district for damages, injunction and attorney fees for offending their personal belief system.
This bill would be detrimental for businesses. The well-being of all Montanans, including LGBTQ people and other historically disenfranchised communities, directly impacts the growth and prosperity of our businesses, the productivity and retention of our employees, and the economic development of our state. Businesses and services that are open to the public should be open to everyone. Nobody should be turned away because of who they are. This is especially true in a rural state where access and options are limited.
Montana is dealing with layers of economic issues due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Legislators should make financial stability for working families a priority, not attempting to legalize discrimination.
Please oppose SB 215.