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Pennsylvania State Senate
04/23/2024 03:45 PM
Pennsylvania State Senate
https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/Legis/CSM/showMemoPublic.cfm?chamber=S&SPick=20170&cosponId=25657
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Senate of Pennsylvania
Session of 2017 - 2018 Regular Session

MEMORANDUM

Posted: April 12, 2018 09:32 AM
From: Senator Scott Wagner
To: All Senate members
Subject: Religious Freedom Preservation Commission
 
In the near future, I will introduce legislation that will create the Religious Freedom Preservation Commission.

William Penn founded the colony of Pennsylvania 337 years ago this month as a “holy experiment” where people of all faiths may have the freedom to worship without punishment. Penn was determined to make Pennsylvania a place that would preserve the liberty and faiths of the people, and most importantly to be a refuge for those persecuted because of their faith. To honor this rich heritage entrusted to us, I plan to introduce legislation that will establish a Religious Freedom Preservation Commission.

This commission will be an independent body, comprised of individuals from various religious faiths and backgrounds. Upon request from a member of the General Assembly or the Administration, the commission shall review any proposed legislation, any regulation, or statute. They will be tasked with conducting a complete and thorough review and assessment of any proposal or existing language that may negatively impact the freedom to practice one’s faith, the freedom to speak or express one’s faith, or that may discriminate against the individual members of a faith or faith institution as a whole within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The commission will also be tasked with presenting an impartial and timely analysis of the impact on religious liberty and the freedom of speech of faithful people. The commission will present those findings to enable legislators to make a determination as to whether or not to support such proposed legislation or statute or repeal existing laws.

Furthermore, the commission will be empowered to recognize and highlight uniquely faithful community celebrations and contributions that have made, and will continue to make, Pennsylvania a beacon of religious freedom.

Please join me in supporting this legislation, in the spirit of the founding of this Commonwealth, so urgently needed to preserve the rights of the faithful.