PRINTER'S NO. 3782
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No.
2530
Session of
2020
INTRODUCED BY OWLETT, NELSON, O'NEAL, BROOKS, JOZWIAK, EVERETT,
MALONEY, RAPP, ROTHMAN, GLEIM, REESE, TOOHIL, KLUNK, CAUSER,
GAYDOS, SAYLOR, MASSER, B. MILLER, SCHMITT, FRITZ, BERNSTINE,
SANKEY, RYAN, DAVANZO, KNOWLES, KAUFFMAN, JAMES, DIAMOND,
PICKETT, ZIMMERMAN AND SCHLEGEL CULVER, MAY 19, 2020
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON STATE GOVERNMENT, MAY 19, 2020
AN ACT
Amending the act of December 9, 2002 (P.L.1701, No.214),
entitled "An act protecting the free exercise of religion;
and prescribing the conditions under which government may
substantially burden a person's free exercise of religion,"
further providing for free exercise of religion protection.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Section 4 of the act of December 9, 2002
(P.L.1701, No.214), known as the Religious Freedom Protection
Act, is amended by adding subsections to read:
Section 4. Free exercise of religion protected.
* * *
(c) Emergencies.--Notwithstanding any other provision in
this act to the contrary, no order issued pursuant to the
authority granted under 35 Pa.C.S. ยง 7301 (relating to general
authority of Governor) nor any control measure taken under the
act of April 23, 1956 (1955 P.L.1510, No.500), known as the
Disease Prevention and Control Law of 1955, may do any of the
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following:
(1) Infringe on the right to assemble to worship
according to a person's faith.
(2) Impact the ability to travel to or from a place of
worship.
(3) Authorize any adverse action against a religious
institution or members of a religious organization for
exercising their religion.
(d) Definition.--For purposes of this section, the term
"adverse action" shall include the application of a civil or
criminal penalty or the imposition of an administrative
sanction.
Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
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