Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Breaking News:


Fort Wayne Mayor Tom Henry has passed away after a brief battle with cancer.

Worship Services Shielded From Future Emergency Orders Under Proposed Legislation

Justin Hicks
/
IPB News

Neither the governor nor local officials could ever restrict worship services during a public emergency under a bill approved by a House panel Wednesday.

Sen. Eric Koch’s (R-Bedford) legislation – SB263 – separates out religious organizations and their worship services when it comes to public emergency orders.

If, for instance, a church operates a food pantry or a day care, government officials could impose restrictions on those activities – just not any more restrictive than other, essential services.

But Koch said the bill goes further when it comes to worship.

“Essentially says that may not be regulated by government," Koch said. "I think that’s consistent with our state’s constitution.”

READ MORE: How Do I Follow Indiana's Legislative Session? Here's Your Guide To Demystify The Process

Join the conversation and sign up for the Indiana Two-Way. Text "Indiana" to 73224. Your comments and questions in response to our weekly text help us find the answers you need on COVID-19 and other statewide issues.

Gov. Eric Holcomb required churches to stop in-person worship services under his “Stay-At-Home” order in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Rep. Matt Pierce (D-Bloomington) worries about the consequences of Koch’s bill.

“You either have super spreader events or just propagation of the disease through these religious organizations because they’re allowed to operate when many other organizations might not be able to,” Pierce said.

The bill is headed to the full House.

Contact reporter Brandon at bsmith@ipbs.org or follow him on Twitter at @brandonjsmith5.

Brandon Smith is excited to be working for public radio in Indiana. He has previously worked in public radio as a reporter and anchor in mid-Missouri for KBIA Radio out of Columbia. Prior to that, he worked for WSPY Radio in Plano, Illinois as a show host, reporter, producer and anchor. His first job in radio was in another state capitol, in Jefferson City, Missouri, as a reporter for three radio stations around Missouri. Brandon graduated from the University of Missouri-Columbia with a Bachelor of Journalism in 2010, with minors in political science and history. He was born and raised in Chicago.