Bill > HB1778

This bill establishes the "Missouri Religious Freedom Protection Act", which prevents public officials from issuing orders that limit or prohibit religious groups or places of worship from holding religious services or meetings. The bill defines key terms, including "place of worship" as a building or grounds where religious group activities occur, and "public official" as any elected or appointed officer or employee of the state of Missouri or its political subdivisions. The legislation includes two important exceptions: first, the protections do not apply if religious groups are using places of worship to plan or commit acts of violence or harm, and second, places of worship must still comply with applicable building and fire codes. The bill appears to be a response to potential government restrictions on religious gatherings, likely drawing from experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic when some jurisdictions imposed limitations on religious services.

https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB1778&year=2026&code=R