CS/HJR 1399

1
House Joint Resolution
2A joint resolution proposing an amendment to Section 3 of
3Article I of the State Constitution to provide that an
4individual may not be barred from participating in any
5public program because of choosing to use public benefits
6at a religious provider and to delete a prohibition
7against using public revenues in aid of any church, sect,
8or religious denomination or any sectarian institution.
9
10Be It Resolved by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
11
12     That the following amendment to Section 3 of Article I of
13the State Constitution is agreed to and shall be submitted to
14the electors of this state for approval or rejection at the next
15general election or at an earlier special election specifically
16authorized by law for that purpose:
17
ARTICLE I
18
DECLARATION OF RIGHTS
19     SECTION 3.  Religious freedom.-There shall be no law
20respecting the establishment of religion or prohibiting or
21penalizing the free exercise thereof. Religious freedom shall
22not justify practices inconsistent with public morals, peace or
23safety. An individual may not be barred from participating in
24any public program because that individual has freely chosen to
25use his or her program benefits at a religious provider. No
26revenue of the state or any political subdivision or agency
27thereof shall ever be taken from the public treasury directly or
28indirectly in aid of any church, sect, or religious denomination
29or in aid of any sectarian institution.
30     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the following statement be
31placed on the ballot:
32
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT
33
ARTICLE I, SECTION 3
34     RELIGIOUS FREEDOM.-Proposing an amendment to the State
35Constitution to provide that an individual may not be barred
36from participating in any public program because that individual
37has chosen to use his or her program benefits at a religious
38provider, and to delete the prohibition against using revenues
39from the public treasury directly or indirectly in aid of any
40church, sect, or religious denomination or in aid of any
41sectarian institution.


CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.