Representative Bill G. Schuette has introduced a proposal that protects religious freedoms in Michigan and guarantees that houses of worship can continue to operate without government interference.

Schuette’s legislation, House Bill 5543, would amend the Emergency Management Act to remove the authority of the governor to shut down houses of worship by use of an emergency order. Other corresponding bills in the newly introduced legislative package update the Public Health Code to provide the same protections and offer recourse for places of worship that encounter government intervention in violation of the new measures.

“Our first amendment constitutional freedoms guarantee our freedom of religion, as well as the right of people of all faiths, to associate and assemble,” Schuette said. “This is far too precious of a right to allow the kind of abuse as we saw during COVID lockdowns, and this plan is an important step in preventing such violations of our rights in the future.”

Government-mandated shutdowns became a flash point in the state during COVID-19, as the state issued stay-at-home orders for residents while prohibiting public and private gatherings among people who were not from the same household. The orders resulted in a litany of lawsuits, including some that claimed the governor and the state had violated First Amendment rights to freely exercise religion and freely assemble against unwarranted government intrusion.

Under the shutdown orders, places of religious worship would not be penalized for allowing services at their locations. But individuals who chose to attend services were not specifically protected and could have been found to be in violation of the orders just for exercising their right to worship.

The legislation has been referred to the House Government Operations Committee for further consideration.

PHOTO INFORMATION: State Representative Bill G. Schuette (right) introduces House Bill 5543 on Thursday, Feb. 29 at the state Capitol in Lansing. The plan would amend the Emergency Management Act to remove the authority of the governor to shut down houses of worship by use of an emergency order. Schuette was joined by state Reps. Steve Carra and Rachelle Smit, who introduced other plans within the legislative package.