Virginia National Guard and Virginia Defense Force; sermons by chaplains. (SB1295)

Introduced By

Sen. George Barker (D-Alexandria)

Progress

Introduced
Passed Committee
Passed House
Passed Senate
Signed by Governor
Became Law

Description

Chaplains of the Virginia National Guard and Virginia Defense Force; sermons. Prohibits censorship by state government officials or agencies of the religious content of sermons and other speeches made within religious services by chaplains of the Virginia National Guard while in Title 32 or State Active Duty status or of the Virginia Defense Force, so long as such content does not urge disobedience of lawful orders and members of the National Guard or Defense Force are not required to attend the service or event. Read the Bill »

Status

01/26/2015: Merged into SB690

History

DateAction
01/14/2015Prefiled and ordered printed; offered 01/14/15 15102364D
01/14/2015Referred to Committee on General Laws and Technology
01/26/2015Incorporated by General Laws and Technology (SB690-Black) (15-Y 0-N) (see vote tally)

Comments

Secular Coalition for Virginia, tracking this bill in Photosynthesis, notes:

The Secular Coalition of Virginia has concerns about this bill. While this is an improved version of SB690 the SCVA is not certain what problem if any is being solved by this legislation. Most likely this will be used as cover to expose Guard and Defense members to religious proselytizing by Chaplains.