New Jersey Assembly Bill ACR127

New Jersey 2022-2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/7/22
• Refer: 3/7/22

Caption

Urges Governor to protect religious liberty during declared state of emergency.

Impact

ACR127 addresses the impact of the Governor's actions during the state of emergency declared in response to rising COVID-19 cases. Under Executive Orders No. 104 and 107, churches and houses of worship faced significant restrictions on gatherings, classified as non-essential compared to various secular businesses that remained open with fewer limitations. This disparity raised concerns about the potential violation of religious freedoms and rights during a public health crisis, prompting this resolution as a call to action for the state government.

Summary

Assembly Concurrent Resolution No. 127 (ACR127) was introduced to urge the Governor of New Jersey to protect religious liberty during any declared state of emergency, particularly in response to restrictions imposed during the COVID-19 pandemic. The resolution highlights the importance of maintaining religious freedoms as enshrined in both the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution and the New Jersey Constitution, emphasizing that no person should be deprived of their right to worship according to the dictates of their conscience.

Contention

A notable point of contention articulated in ACR127 is the argument that restrictions on religious gatherings during the pandemic may have violated fundamental rights. It cites the Supreme Court's decisions regarding comparable restrictions in other states, which ruled against overly burdensome limits placed on religious exercise. The resolution points to a need for a balance between public health measures and the protection of individual liberties, emphasizing that essential services are not limited to secular businesses but also include the critical functions provided by religious organizations.