The Arizona Legislature is considering a bad Covid-related bill that would declare religious services to be “an essential service deemed necessary and vital to the health and welfare of the public.” If passed, HB 2648 would make it virtually impossible for the state to impose health, safety or occupancy requirements on church services due to an emergency.
Please join FFRF in calling on state lawmakers to reject this dangerous bill and instead prioritize the public safety of all Arizona residents.
Governments already regularly limit worship gatherings that jeopardize public health. For instance, the government prohibits churches from cramming too many people into a building in violation of fire codes and also requires that church buildings comply with necessary building codes. Preventing large gatherings due to a pandemic is even more crucial.
Read FFRF’s Covid state/church resources guide for more information.
The Arizona House Judiciary Committee has a hearing scheduled on this bill on Wednesday, Feb. 10, at 9 a.m. Please click on the red “Take Action” link below to use our automated system to contact all members of this committee and urge them to vote no on this bill.
