Mon Jun 20, 2022 – 3:49 pm EDT
TALAHASSE, Florida (LifeSiteNews) – A Florida bill designating religious services as “essential services” was received by Republican Governor Ron DeSantis for his signature Friday. DeSantis has until the end of the month to sign the bill.
SB 254 passed the Florida Senate in January, and states that the government cannot shut down religious services under most circumstances. Under the provisions of the bill, religious services can take place so long as businesses remain open, and the government can only stop religious services if an emergency order applies “to all entities in the affected jurisdiction,” so long as the provisions involved furtherance of a compelling government interest and are “the least restrictive means furthering that compelling government interest.”
The bill came after religious groups and conservative politicians and commentators voiced concerns over the closure of churches and synagogues during the COVID-19 lockdowns, pointing out that liquor stores remained open yet houses of worship were forced to close.
Senator Jason Brodeur, the bill’s sponsor, said that the bill was in part a response to forced church closings during the COVID lockdowns. “It applies to all emergency orders that would come
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