Bill would protect churches from government closure

OLYMPIA — A bill introduced in the state House of Representatives would prevent the state government from closing churches and other religious institutions, according to a statement from Rep. Jim Walsh, R-Aberdeen.

House Bill 1154 would clarify that no emergency proclamation or similar executive order could close religious institutions protected by the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution and Article 1, Section 11, of the Washington State Constitution, according to the statement.

"Freedom of religion and freedom of conscience are the most precious rights that free people have,” Walsh wrote in the statement. “They are protected in principle by our constitutions, the highest laws in the land. But they also must be protected in practice. Overreaching politicians and their bureaucratic agents must never order churches closed and dictate how many people can worship or how a minister, rabbi, imam, or church conducts their services.

The 105-day legislative session convened Monday.