HLS 201ES-53 ENGROSSED
2020 First Extraordinary Session
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 6
BY REPRESENTATIVE MCCORMICK
RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS: Requests the governor to protect religious freedoms
1 A RESOLUTION
2To urge and request the governor to ensure that the right to individual liberty, the right to
3 freedom of religion, and the right of the citizens of Louisiana to peaceably assemble
4 are protected at all times without restriction.
5 WHEREAS, the importance of protecting religious freedom is recognized in the
6Preamble to the Constitution of Louisiana by providing that "We, the people of Louisiana,
7grateful to Almighty God for the civil, political, economic, and religious liberties we enjoy,
8and desiring to protect individual rights to life, liberty, and property"; and
9 WHEREAS, Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution of Louisiana further recognizes
10the importance of protecting religious freedom by providing that "No law shall be enacted
11respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof"; and
12 WHEREAS, Article IV, Section 5(A) of the Constitution of Louisiana provides that
13the governor shall "faithfully support the constitution and laws of the state and of the United
14States and shall see that the laws are faithfully executed"; and
15 WHEREAS, during the 2010 Regular Session of the Legislature, Act No. 793 was
16enacted into law providing for the Preservation of Religious Freedom Act, R.S. 13:5231
17through 5242; and
18 WHEREAS, R.S. 13:5232(1) provides that the free exercise of religion is a
19fundamental right of the highest order in this state; and
20 WHEREAS, R.S. 13:5232(3) and (4) provide that it was the intent of the legislature
21and the people of Louisiana in 1974 to provide the same level of protection for an action of
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HR NO. 6
1the government that explicitly burdened religious exercise as for an action that indirectly
2burdened religious exercise through its effect.
3 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the
4Legislature of Louisiana does hereby urge and request the governor to ensure that the
5religious liberty and right to assemble without restriction of Louisiana citizens be protected
6at all times, including during states of emergency.
7 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the Legislature
8of Louisiana does hereby urge and request the governor not to authorize, restrict, or
9otherwise impose a penalty for individuals who wish to assemble for religious purposes,
10according to their constitutionally-bestowed rights and liberties.
11 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the Legislature
12of Louisiana does hereby urge and request the governor to give absolute assurance to the
13people of this state that their religious liberties will be protected at all times, including
14during states of emergencies.
15 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
16governor.
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HR 6 Engrossed 2020 First Extraordinary Session McCormick
Present law (Const. Preamble) provides that the people of Louisiana desire to protect
individual rights to liberty, including religious liberty.
Present law (Const. Art. I, §8) provides that no law shall be enacted respecting an
establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise of religion.
Present law (Const. Art. IV, §5(A)) provides that the governor shall faithfully support the
constitution and laws of the state and see that they are faithfully executed.
Present law (R.S. 13:5232) provides for the Preservation of Religious Freedom Act, which
provides the same level of protection for a governmental action that explicitly burdens
religious exercise as for an action that indirectly burdens religious exercise.
Requests the governor to ensure that the religious liberties and rights to assemble without
restriction of La. citizens are protected at all times, including during states of emergencies.
Requests the governor not to authorize or impose any mandate that would restrict any
individual from assembling and practicing their religious freedoms.
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HR NO. 6
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
The Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on Civil Law and
Procedure to the original bill:
1. Change "direct" to "urge and request".
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