Governor Nixon Signs House of Worship Bill

We are pleased to inform you that Missouri Governor Jay Nixon has signed into law Senate Bill 755, the House of Worship Protection Act. This is a major victory for religious protection in our state, and we are grateful to the Governor for enacting this bill into law with his signature.

This new law makes it an offense to disrupt worship services in a church, synagogue, mosque, or other house of worship. Individuals who intentionally and unreasonably interrupt or disturb the order and solemnity of a worship service could be prosecuted for their activity.

The new law is designed to combat the tactics of activist groups who target churches for protests because of their religious beliefs. Several incidents have occurred across the country where protesters who object to Biblical beliefs and traditional values stage boisterous protests in the middle of worship services.

Senate Bill 755 was sponsored by Senate President Pro Tem Rob Mayer of Dexter. The companion bill in the Missouri House was sponsored by Rep. Shane Schoeller of Willard. The legislation was developed and advanced by the Missouri Family Policy Council working in consultation with the Alliance Defense Fund.

Senate Bill 755 was approved by the Missouri Senate on a vote of 24-9. The bill was passed by the Missouri House by a vote of 111-26.

This new law helps ensure that Missouri citizens can gather in the church of their choice and worship God without interference. Our religious freedoms mean little if they can be taken hostage by aggressive and abusive behavior in church sanctuaries. Citizens will now have the peace of mind that they can meet in their houses of worship without being harassed, intimidated, or bullied, for expressing their faith.

Missouri now joins other states that have adopted statutes that protect the integrity and security of worship services. We applaud members of the Legislature for acting to protect the freedom of religion of families throughout Missouri. We commend Governor Nixon for choosing to protect houses of worship across our state.

You can send a message to Governor Nixon to thank him for his support of the House of Worship Protection Act by using this link:
Governor Nixon