HB 542, The Religious Liberty Act
STATUS: Last Tuesday, the Senate Judiciary Committee held a public hearing on HB 542. The bill is now awaiting a vote by the committee.
CORNERSTONE POSITION: Cornerstone SUPPORTS HB 542. If passed, this bill would protect houses of worship in New Hampshire from abuses such as we have seen enacted against churches in other states by essentially categorizing them as essential services during states of emergency.The bill would also codify general religious liberty protections, which are already state constitutional law in New Hampshire, in state statute
WHAT YOU CAN DO: Please contact the Senate Judiciary Committee and ask them to vote in support of HB 542.
Recently, critics of HB 542 have been claiming that the bill would open up the opportunity for discrimination against the LGBTQ community. Read the refutation of these criticisms by our Director of Policy, Ian Huyett.
HB 440, The Civil Liberties Defense Act
STATUS: Last Tuesday the Senate Judiciary Committee held a public hearing on HB 440. The bill is now awaiting a vote by the Committee.
CORNERSTONE POSITION: Cornerstone SUPPORTS HB 440. If passed, this bill will protect civil liberties from being “suspended” during a state of emergency—something the Governor’s attorneys have claimed the power to do.
WHAT YOU CAN DO: Please contact the Senate Judiciary Committee and ask them to vote in support of HB 440.
Watch Senator Kevin Avard’s interview with the primary sponsor of HB 440, Representative Jim Kofalt.
Still Awaiting Key Votes on Life Bills
The Senate Judiciary Committee has yet to vote on HB 625, the Fetal Life Protection Act, and HB 233, the Born Alive Infant Protection Act. If you have not already done so, please contact the committee and ask them to vote in favor of HB 625 and HB 233.
Email the Judiciary Committee
William.Gannon@leg.state.nh.us
Important: When emailing the committee, it is best to send a separate email for each bill, with the bill number in the subject line. As always, please remember to be courteous in your tone.
