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Project Blitz Playbook 2017 Report and Analysis on Religious Freedom Measures Impacting Prayer and Faith in America (2017 Version) Legislation Proclamations Talking Points Notes Fact Sheets Copyright © 2017 CPCF. All rights reserved. Report and Analysis on Religious Freedom Measures Impacting Prayer and Faith in America 2 Table of Contents Forward ................................................................................................................................ 3 Overview of Religious Liberty Measures for States ................................................................. 4 Category #1: Legislation Regarding Our Country's Religious Heritage ..................................................... 4 Category #2: Resolutions and Proclamations Recognizing the Importance of Religious History and Freedom .................................................................................................................................................... 5 Category #3: Religious Liberty Protection Legislation .............................................................................. 6 Stylistic Notes ........................................................................................................................ 7 Final Thoughts ....................................................................................................................... 8 Category #1 - Legislation Regarding Our Country’s Religious Heritage..................................... 9 National Motto Display Act ..................................................................................................................... 10 Civic Literacy Act ..................................................................................................................................... 12 Religion in Legal History Act .................................................................................................................... 15 Bible Literacy Act ..................................................................................................................................... 19 Category #2 - Resolutions and Proclamations Recognizing the Importance of Religious History and Freedom ....................................................................................................................... 23 Items for Inclusion in a Proclamation Recognizing Religious Freedom Day ............................................ 24 Items for Inclusion in a Proclamation Recognizing Christian Heritage Week ......................................... 27 Items for Inclusion in Recognizing the Importance of the Bible in History ............................................. 30 Items for Inclusion in a State Proclamation Recognizing the Year of the Bible ...................................... 33 Items for Inclusion in an Executive Proclamation Recognizing Christmas Day........................................ 34 Category #3 (a) - Religious Liberty Protection Legislation – Public Policy Resolutions ............ 35 Resolution Establishing Public Policy Favoring Intimate Sexual Relations Only Between Married, Heterosexual Couples ............................................................................................................................. 36 Resolution Establishing Public Policy Favoring Reliance on and Maintenance of Birth Gender .............. 45 Resolution Establishing Public Policy Favoring Adoption by Intact Heterosexual, Marriage-based Families ................................................................................................................................................... 50 Category #3 (b) - Religious Liberty Protection Legislation – Protection for Professionals and Individuals ........................................................................................................................... 58 Marriage Tolerance Act (a/k/a/ First Amendment Defense Act) ............................................................ 59 Preserving Religious Freedom Act - (a/k/a Religious Freedom Restoration Act (“State RFRA”) ............. 69 Child Protection Act ................................................................................................................................ 78 Clergy Protection Act............................................................................................................................... 87 Licensed Professional Civil Rights Act ..................................................................................................... 95 Category #3 (c) - Religious Liberty Protection Legislation – Protecting Teachers and Students ............................................................................................................................. .............. 102 Student Prayer Certification Act ........................................................................................................... 103 Teacher Protection Act .......................................................................................................................... 106 Preserving Religious Freedom in School Act ......................................................................................... 112 Congressional Prayer Caucus Foundation 524 Johnstown Road, Chesapeake, VA23322 (757) 546-2190 (O) (866) 507-7535 (F) www.CPCFoundation.com Report and Analysis on Religious Freedom Measures Impacting Prayer and Faith in America 3 Forward This report is the 2017 version of religious liberty measures that relate to prayer and faith in America. Following distribution of last year’s version of this report, entitled “An Historical Report and Analysis of Religious Liberty Measures That Impact Prayer and Faith in America” (“Historical Report”), CPCF tracked approximately 33 separate pieces of legislation passed in the 2017 terms of the various state legislatures that were favorable to prayer and the free exercise of religion in our country. That compares to only six passed during 2016, by our count. The purpose of this report is to give you, as legislators, the benefit of good work done by others and model legislation on various related topics for your consideration and potential use. We have expanded the analysis and “talking points” in many areas and have attempted to make this version more user- friendly. But, like the Historical Report, this report reflects the collective wisdom and experience of individual legislators and legal teams who have worked with various pieces of legislation, as well as groups who have or will support such legislation, and the strategic analysis of many organizations, teams, and individuals who have studied these measures. This is not an exhaustive collection of model acts, resolutions, and proclamations on the topic, but it addresses most areas of recent interest. The following principles apply to all of the measures and should be considered early on: 1. Nothing is more important than learning to tell a story that shows why the legislation is needed. While the text of legislation is critical, it can become sterile without painting a picture of “why” it says it. Remember to tell the story! Tell it often, and tell it well. When you have limited time, tell the story and let the legislation speak for itself. 2. Never forget that you often communicate more with your actions than your words. Tone and temperament are vital. 3. The name matters. For example, “Protecting Religious Freedom in Private Homes Act” is not nearly as powerful as the “Home Privacy Protection Act.” 4. Do not let the “perfect” be the enemy of the “good.” The Congressional Prayer Caucus Foundation does not advocate for or against any piece of legislation. That decision must be made by individual legislators. If we can provide you with any additional information, please feel free to contact us. Thank you for serving your country and protecting our First Amendment rights. For Information Contact: Congressional Prayer Caucus Foundation, 524 Johnstown Road, Chesapeake, VA 23322, 757-546-2190, www.CPCFoundation.com/liberty WallBuilders ProFamily Legislative Network, PO Box 397, Aledo, TX, 76008, 817-441-6044, www.ProFamily.com and www.WallBuilders.com National Legal Foundation, PO Box 64427, Virginia Beach, VA 23467, 757-463-6133, www.NLF.net Substantial contribution to the content of this Report and was provided by the Congressional Prayer Caucus Foundation, National Legal Foundation, Claybrook LLC, and WallBuilders ProFamily Legislative Network. Congressional Prayer Caucus Foundation 524 Johnstown Road, Chesapeake, VA23322 (757) 546-2190 (O) (866) 507-7535 (F) www.CPCFoundation.com Report and Analysis on Religious Freedom Measures Impacting Prayer and Faith in America 4 Overview of Religious Liberty Measures for States Historically, Republicans and Democrats agreed that religious liberty is a central American principle that should be protected, but over the past decade this conviction has weakened and come under increasing attack. It is tempting to look to the federal government for solutions to this threat, but under our system of federalism states can and must play a crucial role in protecting religious freedom. This report presents religious liberty laws, resolutions, and proclamations that are often modeled on those that have been proposed or passed in different states over the past few years. The model measures are divided into three categories based on predicted strength of opposition. Please note that this does not mean that items in Category 1 are more important than those in Category 2, and so forth. In fact, measures in Category
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