New Jersey Senate Bill SCR19

New Jersey 2024-2025 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/9/24
• Refer: 1/9/24

Caption

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

Impact

The bill's impact is significant as it seeks to reaffirm and protect the religious liberties of New Jersey residents during emergencies. By urging the Governor to prioritize religious freedom, SCR19 addresses concerns that previous restrictions during the pandemic disproportionately affected houses of worship and limited their ability to provide community support, such as food pantries and shelters. The bill underscores the idea that while public health is crucial, so too is adhering to constitutional rights that ensure the free exercise of religion.

Summary

Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 19 (SCR19) urges the Governor of New Jersey to protect religious liberty during any declared state of emergency. This resolution was introduced amid the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic when various restrictions were placed on public gatherings, including religious services, which were not classified as 'essential' compared to businesses like grocery stores and pharmacies. The resolution emphasizes the importance of religious freedom as enshrined in both the U.S. and New Jersey constitutions, stating that these freedoms were potentially violated by the state actions taken during the pandemic.

Contention

Notable points of contention surrounding SCR19 include the argument over the classification of essential services during the pandemic. Critics argue that the differentiation between secular businesses and religious institutions under state emergency orders raised questions about fairness and equality under the law. Furthermore, the bill can be seen as a challenge to the authority exercised by Governor Murphy, highlighting debates over executive power and individual rights during a public health crisis.