FRANKFORT, KY – The Family Foundation applauds the Kentucky Senate for the final passage of House Bill 43 – the “Church is Essential Act.” HB 43, sponsored by Rep. Shane Baker, has already passed the Kentucky House and now heads to the desk of Governor Andy Beshear.
“Churches are essential to the wellbeing of Kentuckians and their communities,” said David Walls, Executive Director of The Family Foundation. “With the passage of HB 43, churches will rightfully be recognized as essential in Kentucky, and the governor’s emergency powers will never again be abused to shutdown churches or treat religious organizations worse than secular businesses.”
“Governor Beshear’s actions against churches in Kentucky were simply unacceptable and discriminatory. We call on Governor Beshear to recognize his gross overreach and immediately sign this broadly supported, bipartisan bill into law,” Walls concluded.
Churches in Kentucky were forced to file multiple lawsuits challenging Governor Andy Beshear’s COVID orders that prohibited in-person church services and threatened criminal penalties. Kentucky’s state police were even ordered by Beshear to document license plate numbers of church attendees and attach intimidating notices to their cars. HB 43 would ensure that never happens again.
HB 43 will also ensure that emergency powers are never again used to close the doors of the Commonwealth’s churches to people in need while secular business, including liquor stores and large retail stores, still remain open.
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The Family Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that stands for Kentucky families and the biblical values that make them strong. Learn more at kentuckyfamily.org.
