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Committee adopts amendments and advances bill to protect religious institutions and home‑study cooperatives
Summary
HB371, described as an update to the state's religious freedom statute and including protections for home-study cooperatives and use of church facilities, was amended and reported favorably after extended discussion about safety and background checks for non-parent instructors.
Representative Omidy introduced House Bill 371 as an amendment to the state's Preservation of Religious Freedom Act and related Education Code provisions. Omidy said HB371 "amends the, our state's religious freedom statute in an effort to provide protection for churches by making it clear that the government cannot require restrictions on churches that are more onerous than restrictions imposed on secular businesses." He described the bill as the result of work with pastors, churches, parents, the administration, the Department of Education and organizations including the Louisiana Family Forum and the Home School Legal Defense Association.
The sponsor and…
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