DeSantis Signs Bill Making Religious Services ‘Essential’ During Emergency Lockdowns

Published Jun. 29, 2022, 8:57 a.m. ET | Updated Jun. 29, 2022

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June 29, 2022 Updated 9:00 A.M. ET

TALLAHASSEE (FLV) – Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a bill that aims to give churches more protections and allow people to “maintain religious freedom” during emergency lockdowns. 

Sen. Jason Brodeur, R-Lake Mary, sponsored the legislation. His office said the bill makes churches “essential services” which in turn makes it one of the last entities to close down in an emergency lockdown. 

“An emergency order authorized by this part may not directly or indirectly prohibit a religious institution from conducting regular religious services or activities,” the bill states.

The law aims to give religious institutions the same amount of benefits as places like Target or Publix. The idea is that if people can go shopping and show up at a farmers market, supporters believe those rights should also extend to religious institutions. 

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Gov. Ron DeSantis signed an executive order deeming churches an essential activity. But supporters said the new law gives religious entities more weight instead of relying on a Governor to include churches in an executive order. 

There are exceptions to the law. For instance, Senator Brodeur’s office said if there is a blanket statewide curfew during weather emergencies, it would apply to all entities including churches.

“A general provision in an emergency order which applies uniformly to all entities in the affected jurisdiction may be applied to a religious institution,” the bill states.  

The Senator’s office said the bill is in response to the New York Governor at the time, Andrew Cuomo, limiting the capacity of people attending a religious institution. 

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