SECOND REGULAR SESSION
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 42
90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
INTRODUCED BY SENATOR YECKEL.
Pre-filed December 1, 1999, and 1,000 copies ordered printed.
TERRY L. SPIELER, Secretary.
2685S.02I
JOINT RESOLUTION
Submitting to the qualified voters of Missouri, an amendment repealing sections 5 and 7 of article I and section 8 of article IX of the Constitution of Missouri relating to religious freedom, and adopting three new sections in lieu thereof relating to the same subject.
That at the next general election to be held in the state of Missouri, on Tuesday next following the first Monday in November, 2000, or at a special election to be called by the governor for that purpose, there is hereby submitted to the qualified voters of this state, for adoption or rejection, the following amendments to article I and article IX of the Constitution of the state of Missouri:
Section A. Sections 5 and 7, article I, Constitution of Missouri, are repealed and two new sections adopted in lieu thereof, to be known as sections 5 and 7, to read as follows:
Section 5. That all men have a natural and indefeasible right to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their own consciences; that no human authority can control or interfere with the rights of conscience; that no person shall, on account of his religious persuasion or belief, be rendered ineligible to any public office or trust or profit in this state, be disqualified from testifying or serving as a juror, or be molested in his person or estate; but this section shall not be construed to excuse acts of licentiousness, nor to justify practices inconsistent with the good order, peace or safety of the state, or with the rights of others. The general assembly shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.
Section 7. That no money shall ever be taken from the public treasury, directly or indirectly, in aid of any church, sect or denomination of religion, or in aid of any priest, preacher[,] or minister [or teacher] thereof, as such; and that no preference shall be given to nor any discrimination made against any church, sect or creed of religion, or any form of religious faith or worship.
Section B. Section 8, article IX, Constitution of Missouri, is repealed, and one new section adopted in lieu thereof, to be known as section 8, to read as follows:
Section 8. Neither the general assembly, nor any county, city, town, township, school district or other municipal corporation, shall ever make an appropriation or pay from any public fund whatever, anything in aid of any religious creed, church or sectarian purpose[, or to help to support or sustain any private or public school, academy, seminary, college, university, or other institution of learning controlled by any religious creed, church or sectarian denomination whatever]; nor shall any grant or donation of personal property or real estate ever be made by the state, or any county, city, town, or other municipal corporation, for any religious creed, church, or sectarian purpose whatever.