2023 Regular Session ENROLLED
SENATE BILL NO. 63
BY SENATORS MIZELL, ABRAHAM, ALLAIN, BARROW, CATHEY, CLOUD,
CONNICK, CORTEZ, FESI, FOIL, HENRY, HENSGENS, HEWITT,
JACKSON, KLEINPETER, LAMBERT, MCMATH, MILLIGAN,
ROBERT MILLS, PEACOCK, POPE, REESE, STINE, TARVER,
WHITE AND WOMACK AND REPRESENTATIVES AMEDEE,
BACALA, BAGLEY, BEAULLIEU, BOYD, BUTLER, CARRIER,
COX, CREWS, DAVIS, DESHOTEL, DEVILLIER, ECHOLS,
EDMONDS, EDMONSTON, EMERSON, FARNUM, FIRMENT,
FISHER, FONTENOT, FRIEMAN, GADBERRY, GAROFALO,
GOUDEAU, HARRIS, HODGES, HOLLIS, HORTON, ILLG, IVEY,
MIKE JOHNSON, KERNER, KNOX, MACK, MCCORMICK,
MCFARLAND, MCKNIGHT, MCMAHEN, MIGUEZ, MINCEY,
MOORE, CHARLES OWEN, RISER, ROMERO, SCHAMERHORN,
SEABAUGH, SELDERS, ST. BLANC, TARVER, THOMAS, WHEAT,
WHITE AND WRIGHT
Prefiled pursuant to Article III, Section 2(A)(4)(b)(i) of the Constitution of Louisiana.
1 A JOINT RESOLUTION
2 Proposing to add Article XII, Section 17 of the Constitution of Louisiana, relative to
3 religious freedom; to provide that the freedom of worship in churches or other places
4 of worship is a fundamental right that is worthy of the highest order of protection;
5 to provide for the highest level of scrutiny by a court; to provide for intent; and to
6 specify an election for submission of the proposition to electors and provide a ballot
7 proposition.
8 Section 1. Be it resolved by the Legislature of Louisiana, two-thirds of the members
9 elected to each house concurring, that there shall be submitted to the electors of the state, for
10 their approval or rejection in the manner provided by law, a proposal to add Article XII,
11 Section 17 of the Constitution of Louisiana, to read as follows:
12 ยง17. Freedom of worship in churches or other places of worship
13 Section 17.(A) The freedom to worship in a church or other place of
14 worship is a fundamental right that is worthy of the highest order of protection.
15 (B) This Section shall not alter or limit Article 1, Section 8 of this
16 constitution in any way. The free exercise of religion guaranteed by Article 1,
17 Section 8 of this constitution shall not be limited to the fundamental right to
18 worship in a church or other place of worship.
ACT No. 30
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Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;
words in boldface type and underscored are additions. SB NO. 63 ENROLLED
1 (C) If a state or local governmental body or official acts in a manner
2 that is contrary to the provisions of this Section and a challenge is brought
3 related to that governmental action, the court shall apply strict scrutiny in
4 order to protect the fundamental right to worship in a church or other place of
5 worship, unless there is a higher level of protection or scrutiny recognized and
6 applied by the court.
7 Section 2. Be it further resolved that this proposed amendment shall be submitted to
8 the electors of the state at the statewide election to be held on October 14, 2023.
9 Section 3. Be it further resolved that on the official ballot to be used at the election
10 there shall be printed a proposition, upon which the electors of the state shall be permitted
11 to vote YES or NO, to amend the Constitution of Louisiana, which proposition shall read as
12 follows:
13 Do you support an amendment to provide that the freedom of worship in a
14 church or other place of worship is a fundamental right that is worthy of the
15 highest order of protection?
16 (Adds Const. Article XII, Section 17)
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
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Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;
words in boldface type and underscored are additions.