HF 2097 (LSB 5820YH (3) 90)

HOUSE FILE 2097

BY  DIEKEN

A BILL FOR

An Act relating to the regulation of places and practices of worship by the governor.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  NEW SECTION.  7.19  Regulation of places and practices of worship —— limitation.
   Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, the governor shall not close, place a mandate on, or otherwise regulate a place or practice of worship for any reason, including through the proclamation of a disaster emergency pursuant to chapter 29C or public health disaster pursuant to section 135.144. For the purposes of this section, “place of worship” means a building in which an active congregation is devoted to worship.
EXPLANATION
The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with
the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly.
   This bill prohibits the governor from closing, placing a mandate on, or otherwise regulating a place or practice of worship for any reason, including through the proclamation of a disaster emergency or public health disaster. The bill defines “place of worship” as a building in which an active congregation is devoted to worship.