Senate Bill 158, also known as ” The Religious Freedom Amendment,” has been approved by the Kentucky Senate’s State and Local Government Committee and now goes on for consideration by the full Senate. If approved by three-fifths of the Senate and House of Representatives, the bill would put a constitutional amendment on the ballot for ratification by voters in November.
In a nutshell, the amendment would require the government to exempt people from laws that contradict their religious beliefs unless there is an overriding reason why those laws should be enforced. According to the The Family Foundation of Kentucky, which is taking the lead in pushing the bill, the amendment would help allow the high school valedictorian to have the freedom to say, “I thank my parents, my teachers, and my Lord,” without the state representative (the school administrator) telling them they cannot do that by law. It could have also come into play in the cases this year of Amish men who refused on religious grounds to put orange safety triangles on their buggies.
If you would like to see this amendment on your November ballot, please call the toll free legislative message at 800-372-7181 and leave a message with the receptionist for your state senator and state representative asking for them to pass “Pass SB158 – The Religious Freedom Amendment.”
Call Monday through Thursday after 7 a.m. EST weekdays and until 11 p.m. EST. Call until 6 p.m. EST on Fridays.