**Senate Bill 56 Dies in Committee!**
Churches Were at Risk in the Legislature!
Senate Bill 56 was introduced by Senator Travis Holdman in the 2011 General Assembly. Senate Bill 56 would take away the freedom churches presently have to operate a child care ministry without government control.
If the government can control a church child care ministry then other ministries of the church are at risk too, including: day camps, Christian schools, Vacation Bible Schools and Sunday schools!
Committee Hearing February 16, 2011
Senate Bill 56 was heard in the Health and Provider Services Committee on Wednesday, February 16. After extensive testimony the Chair of the Committee, Senator Patricia Miller, chose to hold the bill in her committee and not have a vote. This courageous action by Senator Miller stopped Senate Bill 56 in her committee!
Senate Bill 56 Would Have Harmed Churches!
Here are just some of the provisions of Senate Bill 56 that would harm churches:
- State government would be given unprecedented control over church child care ministries!
- SB 56 would give state government the unbridled authority to close a church child care ministry without having to go to court to justify this extreme action against a church!
- All volunteers (Moms and Grandmothers!) who give of their time at the church child care ministry would be forced to get a drug test before they could help out at the church!
- State government would be given massive new authority to regulate the internal operation of the church through the passage of new state rules and regulations under the vague terms of “food, health, safety”! This could result in the government overseeing everything that goes on during the time the children are at the church!
- SB 56 would create the “snack police” by giving the government control over meals and snacks at the church! Would this mean no more cookies from home to celebrate birthdays?
- Pastors, child care ministry staff and volunteers could be charged with a crime, go to jail and pay a fine if they do not follow the new government controls over the church!
If the government can control a church child care ministry then the next step could involve other ministries involving children including: day camps, Christian schools, summer camps, Vacation Bible Schools and Sunday schools!
The Bottom Line!
Senate Bill 56 threatened freedom for churches in Indiana!
There is no justification for changing the current law that has benefited the families, children and churches of Indiana for decades!
But The Language Can Come Back!
Even though Senate Bill 56 died in committee, the language could be added to another bill. We will be watching for any attempt to add the language to a House or Senate Bill!
Action Item!
*Please Thank Senator Miller!*
Please call or email State Senator Patricia Miller the Committee Chair where Senate Bill 56 was assigned with the following message:
“Thank you for helping keep churches free from government control! Thank you for not voting Senate Bill 56 out of your Committee!”
Senator Miller’s contact information: Phone: 1-800-382-9467 or Email: s32@in.gov
Working Together We Can Keep Churches Free!
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