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2005 SESSION
HJ 537 Constitutional amendment; free exercise of religion on public property (first reference).
Introduced by: Charles W. Carrico, Sr. | all patrons ... notes | add to my profiles
SUMMARY AS PASSED HOUSE: (all summaries)
Constitutional amendment (first resolution); religious freedom. Amends the current religious freedom provisions of the Virginia Constitution to "secure further the people's right to acknowledge God"; to permit prayer and the recognition of "religious beliefs, heritage, and traditions on public property, including public schools"; and to prohibit the Commonwealth and its political subdivisions, including public school divisions, from composing school prayers or requiring individuals to "join in prayer or other religious activity."
The current constitutional provision parallels the federal free exercise/establishment clauses of the U.S. Constitution and provides for the free exercise of religion "according to the dictates of conscience" and prohibits the General Assembly from compelling persons to participate in religious activity.
FULL TEXT
- 10/15/04 House: Prefiled & ordered printed; offered 01/12/05 054685264 pdf
- 02/04/05 House: Committee substitute printed 051846264-H1 pdf
HISTORY
- 10/15/04 House: Prefiled & ordered printed; offered 01/12/05 054685264
- 10/15/04 House: Referred to Committee on Privileges and Elections
- 02/04/05 House: Reported from P. & E. w/substitute (14-Y 6-N)
- 02/04/05 House: Committee substitute printed 051846264-H1
- 02/07/05 House: Passed by for the day
- 02/08/05 House: Taken up
- 02/08/05 House: Committee substitute agreed to 051846264-H1
- 02/08/05 House: Pending question, not ordered
- 02/08/05 House: Engrossed by House - committee substitute HJ537H1
- 02/08/05 House: Agreed to by House (69-Y 27-N)
- 02/08/05 House: VOTE: ADOPTION (69-Y 27-N)
- 02/08/05 House: Communicated to Senate
- 02/09/05 Senate: Reading waived
- 02/09/05 Senate: Referred to Committee on Privileges and Elections
- 02/15/05 Senate: Rereferred from P.& E. (9-Y 5-N)
- 02/15/05 Senate: Rereferred to Courts of Justice
- 02/21/05 Senate: Failed to report (defeated) in C. J. (5-Y 10-N)